Excavation clarifies the outstanding values ​​of Man Bac relic

Based on the excavation results, archaeologists said that it can be confirmed that Man Bac is a residential-burial relic, showing that Man Bac residents were aware of their own burial site, although it was still located next to their residence...

On June 24, in Yen Thanh commune, Yen Mo district (Ninh Binh), the provincial Department of Culture and Sports in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) organized a workshop on Preliminary report on archaeological excavation results at Man Bac relic, Bach Lien village, Yen Thanh commune.

At the excavation pit in 2025 (from April 22 to June 24) with an area of ​​196m2, archaeologists discovered many traces of relics (burial, kitchen, column pit...); animal and mollusk relics (fish bones, pigs, deer, monkeys, reptiles, oysters...); artifacts (grinders, axes, adzes, chisels, pottery...).

Based on the excavation results, archaeologists said that it can be confirmed that Man Bac is a residential-burial relic, showing that Man Bac residents were aware of their own burial area, although it was still located next to their residence; the cultural layer is divided into 3 layers, including 2 early and late development stages; the system of relics that emerge is notably the kitchen and the accumulation of large, thick kitchen waste; diverse and rich relics with materials such as stone, pottery, bones, and mollusk shells. The relative age of Man Bac may belong to the late Neolithic - early Metal Age as previously assumed.

The Man Bac archaeological site was discovered in 1998, first excavated in 1999, then excavated many times in 2001, 2004-2005, 2005, 2007 with the participation of scientists from the Institute of Archaeology and international experts from Australia, Japan...

These excavations have demonstrated that the Man Bac site is an important archaeological site for the understanding of the late Neolithic - early Bronze Age period in Vietnam, through 105 burials and a rich and unique system of artifacts.

Relics discovered at the excavation pit. (Photo: Thuy Dung/VNA)

Currently, the Man Bac relic is relatively well preserved, because it has been marked with planning markers, so there are no new burials or cultivation in the relic area.

There is still plenty of room for excavation for future generations. Excavation on site has been basically completed, and the rectification work is being actively implemented.

From the results of the Man Bac archaeological excavation, archaeologists proposed to keep the natural landscape surrounding the relic intact, aiming to build a Man Bac archaeological park. The locations for preserving the stratigraphic relics of the kitchen waste pile and other areas at the excavation pit will serve the conservation and promotion of future values ​​according to the Project "Preserving and promoting the value of the Man Bac archaeological relic and Bo Bat pottery craft" (Yen Thanh commune).

Archaeologists proposed that it is necessary to build a dossier to rank the Man Bac relic as a national relic, thereby building appropriate policies and plans for the preservation and promotion of the relic's value; promoting research and analysis, especially dating analysis with a large enough number of samples, publishing books on the Man Bac relic.../.

(Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/khai-quat-lam-ro-cac-gia-tri-noi-bat-cua-di-tich-man-bac-post1046035.vnp