The below was on the stonespage archaeo-news. The website has three images
in addition to the text below.
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Prehistoric casting centre found in Vietnam
Excavations in Vinh Phuc Province (Vietnam) have revealed a
3,500-year-old bronze casting centre of Dong Son. The recent
excavations of the Thanh Den site in Cu An Hamlet, conducted by the
University of Social Sciences and Humanities, have revealed a large
volume of findings belonging to the early and late stages of
development of the Dong Dau Culture. The findings have also helped to
affirm the existence of the greatest centre of non-ferrous alloy
production in Viet Nam. Within a 100 sq.m area, 108 bronze artefacts
were unearthed. Thousands of pointed axes, spears, arrows, hooks,
pieces of copper wire and many pieces of earthenware were also
discovered. Other findings made of stone and ceramics were much
scarcer in comparison with bronze items. The findings show that about
3,500 years ago, bronze instruments played an important role and
appeared to replace similar items made of stone.
The vestiges of the inhabitants of the stage of the Dong Son
Culture have been discovered through the stratum structure. In
addition to bronze items, there are some traces of rattan ware, and
woven items. Archaeologist Bui Van Liem, PhD, of the Viet Nam
Institute of Archaeology, has also discovered two ancient graves in
which bones were lying on a rectangular foundation of well-trodden
earth, similar to a coffin in the primeval period. The remains were
placed lying supine with hands and legs stretched out. The foundation
of the graves were strewn with yellow earth and stone and ceramic
items were interred within.
All these findings may help us to figure out the face of an
ancient village of that age. Inhabitants resided for some time in the
area and lived mainly on cultivating rice. In addition to farming,
they may have been skilful in many other trades.
Recently, the Vinh Phuc Department of Culture and Information
and the Viet Nam Institute of Archaeology finished the project
entitled "Overall Planning of the Dong Dau Site until 2020" with its
key task to preserve Thanh Den as a national site and make it an
important tourist centre.
Source: Vietnam News Agency (14 August 2005)
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=04SUN140805
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Chris Salter, Oxford Materials Characterisation Service,
Department of Materials, Begbroke Science and Business Park, Sandy Lane,
Yarnton, Oxford, OX5 1PF.
Tel Off. 01865 283722 EPMA 283741 Mobile 07776031608
