THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — Archeologists delivered 356 reports on the new archeological findings around Việt Nam at an announcement event held for the sector during the weekend in the city of Huế.

The reports were issued in four fields, of which prehistory archeology issued 115 reports, history archeology 184, Champa-Óc Eo archeology 41, and underwater archeology 10. Six other reports addressed general issues.

The reports included results of investigations and excavations, new findings and new methodologies for the period of 2017-2018.

The prehistory archeology reports explained remarkable new findings thanks to the excavations at Rộc Tưng archeological sites in Gia Lai Province’s An Khê Township. At the sites, archeologists found stone axes that are believed to date to the pre-Epipaleolithic era found at sites in Central Highlands.

In the northern province of Tuyên Quang, scientists in late September announced the discovery of various traces of early people living 4,000 years ago in several caves in Pù Chùa.

Other interesting findings of prehistory archeology were made in Krông Nô volcanic cave and Đắc Sơn site in Đắk Nông Province as well as some others in Đắk Lắk, Sơn La and Lạng Sơn.

Excavations in the relics of Luy Lâu ancient wall in Bắc Ninh and Kính Thiên palace in Hà Nội, and Hải Vân Quan ancient gate in Thừa Thiên-Huế were part of the work of historic archaeologists.

The Champa-Óc Eo archeology branch reported on the recent excavations including Phong Lệ tower in Đà Nẵng, Champa pottery workshop site Gò Cây Me in Bình Định, and architectural relic An Phong in Bến Tre.

Underwater archeologists listed the excavation of sunken ships in Lăng Cô in Thừa Thiên-Huế and in Bình Châu in Quảng Ngãi during the period.

“The new findings have offered more materials for the historical study of Vietnamese people. These will contribute much for the conservation and promotion of local culture and traditions in the context of global integration,” said Bùi Văn Liêm, deputy director of the Việt Nam Institute of Archeology.

According to the institute’s director Nguyễn Giang Hải, it will work closely with Russian archeologists to enhance the scientific values of those findings in An Khê as well as UNESCO experts in developing the local underwater branch.

It also has plans to trace the DNA of those found in Tuyên Quang to find out the origin of the people. — VNS