41,000-year-old 'treasure' in Shensha

Dating back 41,000 years, the Than Sa archaeological site in Than Sa commune (Vo Nhai district) is considered an archaeological "treasure trove," opening the door to understanding the lives of prehistoric people in Southeast Asia. Through five excavations, the discoveries of researchers have changed the history of Vietnamese archaeology. This is because it is one of the most important and unique archaeological sites, containing evidence of the existence of prehistoric people.

At the excavation site of cultural layer 6, archaeologists discovered two charred bone fragments, evidence that prehistoric people in Than Sa knew how to use fire.

From Thai Nguyen City, traveling upstream along the Cau River to the confluence of streams in the Than Sa Valley, one suddenly encounters the tranquility of clear blue water flowing through the Phieng Tung, Nguom, Tham Choong, and Ha Son archaeological sites… Human life has existed here since ancient times.

A land of majestic mountains and tranquil rivers and streams. The highlight is the spacious Ngườm rock shelter, perched on the mountainside, chosen as a dwelling place by prehistoric people. Later generations – archaeologists – have conducted five excavations. Each excavation has uncovered new evidence of significant archaeological and historical value.

The most recent excavation, conducted from March 20th to April 10th, yielded numerous artifacts from experts at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences , including stone tools, fragmented tools, flakes, animal remains, bones, teeth, and mollusks. Particularly noteworthy is the discovery of two charred bone fragments in the excavation pit of cultural layer 6. This provides evidence that prehistoric people living at Ngườm Rock Shelter knew how to use fire.

Dr. Pham Thanh Son, Vietnam Institute of Archaeology : This discovery provides new and important insights for studying the evolution of stone crafting methods and techniques during the Paleolithic period in Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general. To date, this is also the only rock shelter and cave site where evidence of habitation, crafting, and use of the earliest dated stone tools has been discovered in our country.

Previously, during the fourth excavation conducted in 2017, experts from the Institute of Archaeology and the University of Wollongong (Australia) recovered a rich variety of stone artifacts, showcasing the diversity and uniqueness of stone crafting techniques. Analysis of ash and mollusk samples confirmed that prehistoric people lived here from approximately 41,000 to 23,000 BC – the late Paleolithic period.

The artifacts were found during the fifth excavation.

A vast "treasure trove," and a powerful attraction for archaeologists and historians both domestically and internationally . Evidence from the 1920s shows that French scholars H. Mansuy and M. Colani came here to survey and excavate artifacts related to the survival of prehistoric people. In 1925, French scholars officially published their contributions to the study of Indochina's prehistory, which included mention of four sites belonging to the Bac Son culture discovered and studied in Thai Nguyen. These sites are: Khac Kiem, Nghinh Tac, Na Ca, and Ky (Vo Nhai).

This announcement marked a significant milestone on the map of Vietnam's prehistoric archaeological regions. However, for various reasons, it was not until 46 years later (in 1971) that Associate Professor, Dr. Hoang Xuan Chinh and several archaeologists from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology had the opportunity to visit the Than Sa area to conduct surveys and discover the Tiger Mouth Site (also known as Phieng Tung Cave).

Through surveys and excavations, archaeologists have discovered that the Vo Nhai district has a relatively high density of prehistoric archaeological sites. In Than Sa, besides the Nguom rock shelter, there are many other archaeological sites with similarities in stone-making methods and techniques to Nguom and Phieng Tung. Notable examples include Na Khu cave, Ha Son I and Ha Son II rock shelters, and Kim Son cave.

In 1981, archaeologists from the Institute returned to the "late Paleolithic homeland" and discovered more than 10 archaeological sites in the Than Sa valley. This was a crucial "breakthrough," definitively confirming that Than Sa held a "treasure trove" more valuable than precious metals. These artifacts and relics are crucial for scientific research.

Dr. Pham Thanh Son, from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology (far right), shares with archaeological experts the value of artifacts collected at the Than Sa archaeological site.

Therefore, in 1982, a larger-scale excavation was carried out in this area, with the participation of experienced scientists from the Vietnam National Museum of History; the Institute of Archaeology; the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; the History Department of Hanoi University (now the University of Social Sciences and Humanities); and the Museum Department of Hanoi University of Culture.

During this excavation, archaeologists found 659 stone tools, including pestles, pebbles, chipped fragments, and pointed tools. In three excavation pits at Mai Da Nguom alone, archaeologists discovered three human skeletons buried in a kneeling position. In addition, there were orangutan jawbones, elephant jawbones, and thousands of stone specimens, tools, and hunting weapons made of stone by ancient Vietnamese people. The excavation pits at this site clearly demonstrate four archaeological cultural layers characteristic of the Bac Son, Hoa Binh, Son Vi, and Than Sa cultures.

Associate Professor Trinh Nang Chung (Vietnam Institute of Archaeology) , a leading expert on prehistory, early history, from the Stone Age to the Metal Age, affirmed: Besides the Than Sa archaeological site, Vo Nhai district also has many other important archaeological sites, including the Hang Oc site in Pho hamlet, Binh Long commune.

Ms. Vu Thi Thu Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: Thai Nguyen province is actively organizing activities to preserve and protect this site; at the same time, carrying out necessary procedures such as continuing to connect with the Institute of Archaeology in organizing excavations; sending samples for analysis and dating to confirm the value of the site, consolidating documents, and selecting valuable artifacts to create a dossier to propose to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to recognize Than Sa archaeological site as a special national archaeological site.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202504/kho-bau41000-nam-tuoi-o-than-sa-39706c2/