Dak Nong conducts archaeological exploration of Ta Dung Cave.

On the morning of May 9th, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dak Nong province, in coordination with the Institute of Social Sciences of the Central and Central Highlands regions and the local authorities, organized a conference to report on the preliminary results...

The survey team visited the excavation pits.

The archaeological survey was conducted according to Decision No. 751/QD-BVHTTDL, from April 20 to May 20, 2025, with a licensed area of ​​8m², comprising 3 excavation pits (H1: 2m², H2: 2m², H3: 4m²).

The Ta Dung cave archaeological site is a secondary cave, formed by the lateral erosion of water, completely different from the Krong No volcanic cave. The cave has a frog-mouth shape, with an entrance approximately 16m wide, 3–8m deep, and 0.5–5m high.

After excavation, pit H1 inside the cave was preserved in its original state for further research, while the other two pits will be restored to their original condition. The collected artifacts were taken to the laboratory for processing, classification, and display and research in accordance with the regulations of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

This site was discovered in 2023 by MSc. Vu Tien Duc, PhD. La The Phuc and their colleagues. Some preliminary research results have been published at the 2024 National Archaeology Conference and in specialized journals.

Initial excavation results revealed 86 artifacts, including stone tools, pottery fragments, and notably, traces of charcoal ash – indicating that this was once a dwelling and tool-making site for prehistoric people, dating back approximately 3,000–3,500 years.

The objectives of the survey include determining the scope, age, and nature of the site, collecting artifacts for research and exhibition purposes, and guiding conservation efforts to promote the heritage's value within the local socio -economic development strategy.

From inside the cave, one can gaze out and admire the breathtaking panoramic view of Ta Dung Lake, with its emerald green waters winding among hundreds of large and small islands scattered throughout the lake, creating a majestic and poetic natural landscape.

Three excavation pits were located at different positions in and around the cave. The excavation process strictly followed scientific procedures, including grid division, layer excavation, artifact positioning, and stratigraphic recording. Pit 25.HTD.H1, located in the center of the cave, was excavated down to the fifth layer, revealing several archaeological artifacts such as flakes, raw materials, pottery fragments, and charcoal ash. A charcoal ash sample was taken for C14 dating analysis.

Dr. Truong Thi Hanh, Deputy Director of the Center for Historical Studies, stated that although the exploration of Ta Dung cave relics has only been conducted on a small area and is at the archaeological exploration stage, it has initially yielded very good results, establishing and adding a new archaeological site to the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark and Ta Dung National Tourist Area.

Pit 25.HTD.H2 is located on the outer edge of the cave, with a depth of 0.9m, and consists of 10 layers. The surface layer has been disturbed by cultivation, but the cultural layer below remains relatively intact. Pit 25.HTD.H3 is located above the cave, reaching the 9th layer. This cultural layer contains traces of prehistoric human activity.

At the conference, Mr. Vu Tien Duc emphasized the exceptional archaeological and cultural-historical value of this site. Ta Dung Cave not only adds a new archaeological site to the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark, but also opens up opportunities for developing cultural-historical tourism products in the Ta Dung Lake area.

After excavation, pits H2 and H3 were completely filled in, while pit H1 was preserved in place for further research. The collected artifacts were taken to the laboratory for processing, analysis, and reporting in accordance with the regulations of the Law on Cultural Heritage.

Departments, agencies, and local authorities discussed and contributed ideas at the conference to develop a plan for preserving and promoting the archaeological value of Ta Dung Cave.

Following field surveys at the excavation sites, the conference initially noted the significant archaeological value of Ta Dung Cave. This opens up the potential for more in-depth research in the future. This provides an important scientific basis for developing conservation plans and promoting the value of the site, while also contributing to enriching the source of historical and cultural information about the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark area.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/dak-nong-tham-do-khao-co-hang-ta-dung-251997.html