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| The workshop "Determining the age and origin of materials in archaeological relics using advanced nuclear methods and techniques" was organized by the Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences . |
From scientific assertions
With new discoveries at Nguom Stone Shelter after the 6th excavation, the Institute of Archaeology - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has clarified the scientific basis and role of advanced dating techniques applied in archaeological research, through presentations and academic exchanges between leading Vietnamese scientists.
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| Artifacts collected during the 6th excavation at Nguom Rock Shelter. |
Scientists from: Institute of Archaeology - Vietnam Academy of Science; Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute; Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center; Institute of Basic and Applied Science Research, Duy Tan University, Ho Chi Minh City; Faculty of Geology, University of Science - Natural Sciences ( Hanoi National University) ... supported the 6th excavation team to use modern methods such as: OSL analysis, magnetic stable isotope analysis, mineral morphology, as well as 3D scanning techniques and coordinate mapping applied synchronously, ensuring accuracy in recording archaeological discoveries, determining and producing archaeological results as announced.
The story of Nguom Rock Roof is related to a historical period spanning hundreds of thousands of years and has special appeal and interest to scientists.
The earliest settlement date at Nguom is older than 124,590 years old, estimated to be between 140,000 and 150,000 years old, an unknown date at Nguom Rock Shelter. At Nguom, there is also evidence of the oldest use of fire in Southeast Asia and the second oldest in Asia (only behind Zhoukoudian in China in all of Asia), a turning point in the technology and survival of prehistoric people in Southeast Asia.
According to Dr. Nguyen Van Huong, Faculty of Geology, University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi): There are many ways to determine traces of fire in archaeological sediments. Currently, the research team's analysis relies on magnetic characteristics in the sediments to find suspicious areas, then based on the characteristics of changes in chemical elements in vertical sediment columns such as calcium, phosphorus... and then continues to be analyzed by more advanced methods to find magnetic change characteristics.
To new awareness
The new discoveries at Nguom Rock Shelter are of great interest to domestic and foreign archaeologists, because it opens up new perceptions earlier than the Nguom industry. From the research results after 6 excavations of Nguom Rock Shelter, Dr. Ha Van Can, Director of the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) said: After more than 40 years since its discovery by Vietnamese archaeologists (in 1981), Nguom Rock Shelter and Nguom industry have become world famous.
Along with the deep age, traces of fire, traces of large core tools and flakes of the pre-Ngươm culture development stage show that before the Ngườm industry there was a long period of permanent residence, and the people in Ngườm were indigenous. The signs of fire are among the earliest in the world, proving that ancient residents appeared a long time ago. This is the latest and most important discovery.
The research results at Nguom Rock Shelter in 2025 are among the archaeological results highly appreciated by the world, invited to attend and nominated for the Field Discovery Award SAF 2025 by the 6th Shanghai Archaeology Forum (SAF) scheduled to take place from December 15 to 19, 2025.
The award is given to excavations or archaeological surveys that have yielded major discoveries, contributing to expanding or significantly changing our understanding of the human past, both locally and globally. According to the recent announcement, the research results at Nguom 2025 have been shortlisted in the TOP 40/500 nominations for SAF 2025.
Honoring worthy world heritage
Nguom Rock Shed is the site with the earliest evidence of ancient human habitation ever discovered in Vietnam and has special value in studying the transitional period from the middle to the late Paleolithic period.
With its continental and world-class archaeological values, Nguom Rock Roof deserves to become a special national relic. The excavated artifacts can be selected for recognition as national treasures. And protecting the current status of the relic is an urgent task.
With groundbreaking discoveries from the earliest traces of fire, sophisticated stone tools, systematic plant processing, to evidence of cultural-industrial transformation - Nguom is not only the archaeological "standard" of the region, but also a living testament to human creativity, adaptation and evolution in the harsh Pleistocene climate.
Interdisciplinary scientists have determined that the Than Sa - Nguom archaeological relic complex is a unique scientific and cultural heritage, worthy of being recognized at a global level and should be honored as a World Heritage Site.
Dr. Luu Anh Tuyen, Ho Chi Minh City Nuclear Center, said: Nguom Rock Shelter archaeological site has a special position for the country, is extremely rare, and can preserve and store traces related to human activities over a long period of hundreds of thousands of years. It helps us answer very important questions about prehistoric people and ancient Vietnamese people. Based on solid historical foundations, we are completely confident in building a dossier to submit to UNESCO to recognize Nguom Rock Shelter as a world cultural heritage.
Along with Nguom Rock, in Than Sa and neighboring areas, in the mountain systems, there have been discoveries and announcements about the existence of marine animal fossils with a geological age of over 400 million years. Thai Nguyen needs to conduct a comprehensive investigation and move towards establishing maps and archaeological planning to preserve and promote the value of heritage and natural landscapes associated with the socio-economic development goals of the province.
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Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202511/mai-da-nguom-ky-vi-chieu-sau-khao-co-bai-2gia-tri-mang-tam-voc-toan-cau-cua-di-san-e563ab9/
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