On the land of Son La , there are many archaeological relics that have been found along the Da River in the past. Through the initial survey, excavation of the relics, and determination of the age of ancient micro-artifacts, it has partly proven the existence and development of ancient residents from the Stone Age to later periods. Archaeology in Son La still has mysteries about ancient history that need to be researched, studied and clarified.
Photo: Thanh Dao
Currently, in Son La province, there are 11 archaeological relics that have been recognized, ranked, located, named and scientifically documented according to the regulations of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Among them, we can mention the Mai Da Ban Mon relic, Thom Mon commune, Thuan Chau district, which was discovered earliest in 1927 and is considered a natural "house" of prehistoric people. It has been explored, excavated and thousands of artifacts dating from 1,000 to 6,000 years have been discovered. Co Noong Cave in It Ong town, Muong La district, located right on the bank of the Da River, was excavated in 1997 and many artifacts were discovered dating from the late Neolithic period. Along with many other natural caves that have been initially explored, showing evidence of ancient residents such as: Tham Puoc Cave in Bac Yen; Tang Me tomb cave, Pong cave in Van Ho; Hua Bo cave in Muong La; Tham Mu cave in Mai Son; Tang cave in Phu Yen; Lan Le cave in Quynh Nhai...
More than 11,000 archaeological artifacts have been found and brought back for display and storage at the Provincial Museum, which are determined to date from the Paleolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The artifacts have many diverse types such as: cobblestones, flakes, pottery shards, arrows, combat weapons, containers, bronze drums, bronze jewelry, burial sites with relatively intact remains... That is a vivid proof of the continuous development of ancient residents through the ages, starting from the primitive era to the beginning of the metal civilization era in Son La land.
Photo: Thanh Dao
Ms. Ngo Thi Hai Yen, Director of the Provincial Museum, said: The Provincial Museum is currently preserving and conserving many archaeological artifacts of great cultural and historical value. Among them are valuable artifacts dating from the Prehistoric period, especially the collection of 34 bronze drums found at archaeological sites along the Da River in Son La. These are invaluable heritages managed, preserved and displayed by the Provincial Museum, some of which are relatively intact, to serve the needs of visitors for sightseeing and research.
To carry out the construction of the Hoa Binh and Son La Hydropower Plants, the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology has presided over and coordinated with Son La province to survey, explore and excavate the system of archaeological sites in the two reservoir areas. More than 50 years ago, 24 archaeological sites were discovered in 3 districts (Moc Chau, Yen Chau and Phu Yen) in the Hoa Binh Hydropower Reservoir, organized exploration, excavation and collected thousands of artifacts. Scientists have re-surveyed the sites, systematized all archaeological documents, and outlined the historical and cultural evolution of the communities from about 30,000 years ago to 3,000 years ago. In the Son La Hydropower Reservoir, 15 sites were discovered in 3 districts (Quynh Nhai, Thuan Chau and Muong La), excavating more than 6,000 artifacts; providing vivid materials for the Cultural Heritage Exhibition House of the Son La Hydroelectric Reservoir (Muong La District), introducing the unique historical and cultural traditions of the four ethnic groups in the Son La Hydroelectric Reservoir. From 2015 to present, the Provincial Museum has carried out and completed two research projects on promoting the Prehistoric - Early Historic cultural heritage of the Son La Hydroelectric Reservoir and the Hoa Binh Hydroelectric Reservoir (in the province). The results of the two projects not only conduct specialized research on archaeology but also evaluate the historical, cultural, and tourism resource values and propose directions for preserving and promoting archaeological heritage in the current period.
Photo: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Lan Cuong, Vietnam Archaeological Association, shared: From the relics, sites, especially the tombs, we directly surveyed, excavated, searched for ancient relics, and determined the age. In particular, we examined the remains of primitive people that were found to determine the owners of the ancient cultural stages. From that, it can be seen that Son La still preserves quite intact many vestiges of the continuous development stages of ancient residents from the Paleolithic period, to the Neolithic period, to the Bronze Age, forming the later period of metal civilization.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Son La province has been actively coordinating with experts from the Institute of Archaeology and the Vietnam Archaeological Association to conduct surveys, excavations, appraisals and complete scientific records for a number of ancient relics, sites and artifacts. Thereby providing valuable sources of documents to compile local history and geography, exploit valuable artifacts displayed at the Provincial Museum and especially further affirm the development process of prehistoric culture in Son La land in the ancient past culture of the nation.
Thanh Dao
Source
Comment (0)