Excavations reveal significant Bronze Age settlement at Vuon Chuoi, Vietnam

Archaeologists have uncovered a significant pre-Dong Son settlement in northern Vietnam. The discovery at the Vuon Chuoi Archaeological Site, located in Lai Xa Hamlet, Kim Chung Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi, is believed to date back nearly 3,000 years to the Bronze Age. The excavation, led by researchers from the Insтιтute of Archaeology, sheds light on an organized society that thrived in Northern Vietnam prior to the rise of the famous Dong Son culture.

Excavations reveal significant Bronze Age settlement at Vuon Chuoi, VietnamArchaeologists at the Vuon Chuoi archaeological site. Credit: Vietnam Insтιтute of Archaeology

The research team, headed by Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy from the Insтιтute of Archaeology, excavated a 6,000-square-meter area on the western side of the Vuon Chuoi site. Numerous 100-square-meter pits were dug, revealing important preliminary findings. According to Dr. Quy, “The initial discoveries revealed a settlement area from the pre-Dong Son period. The site is situated on the highest point of the Vuon Chuoi mound, featuring a basin-like structure with the outer edges elevated by about 0.5 meters compared to the center. It appears that ancient people took advantage of both natural elevated and lower terrain to create a settlement, surrounded by a protective moat about 10 meters wide and 2.5 to 3 meters deep.”

The settlement’s construction materials were identified as yellow-brown clay, likely sourced from nearby natural mounds. The area shows traces of multiple pre-Dong Son cultural phases, with burial sites located along the outer slopes. The northwest corner of the site, in particular, revealed a dense necropolis, with burials from at least two overlapping time periods. These findings have been described as pivotal for understanding the organization and social structure of ancient communities in Northern Vietnam.

Dr. Quy noted, “They provide deeper insights into how ancient communities managed their living spaces to address challenges posed by both natural and social environments. The scale of construction at this site also indicates a well-organized society with a high level of labor division.” The findings reveal that the ancient inhabitants of Vuon Chuoi were able to build a large, complex settlement while maintaining a protective perimeter, showcasing their ability to adapt to the landscape and protect their community.

Despite the success of the excavation, preservation efforts at Vuon Chuoi have been slow. Since 2019, the Insтιтute of Archaeology, along with other organizations, has been submitting documentation to authorities to ensure the site’s protection. So far, only the eastern portion of the site has been listed as a heritage site under inventory. Vuon Chuoi has not yet been given the same level of recognition as other sites of comparable importance, such as the Dong Dau site, which has been designated as a Special National Monument.

The delay in official recognition has left archaeologists frustrated, with many questioning the reasons for the hold-up. A representative from the Hanoi Museum ᴀssured that the Heritage Management Department would work closely with Hoai Duc District’s Cultural Department to expedite the process of officially classifying Vuon Chuoi as a recognized archaeological site. “We are committed to working alongside scientists and relevant city authorities to expedite both the excavation and preservation of Vuon Chuoi,” said the Chairman of the Hoai Duc People’s Committee.

The Vuon Chuoi site holds significant value for Vietnam’s archaeological record, and its preservation is considered critical for future research on the country’s ancient history. As the excavation nears completion, there is hope that official recognition will come soon, ensuring the site is protected.

 Vietnam Insтιтute of Archaeology

Related Posts

5,500-year-old ‘Polish pyramids’ discovered in western Poland reveal Neolithic engineering

5,500-year-old ‘Polish pyramids’ discovered in western Poland reveal Neolithic engineering

Polish archaeologists have found two megalithic tombs over 5,500 years old that teach us more about the burial practices and engineering abilities of one of Europe’s earliest…

17th-century Gullberg’s fortress in Gothenburg brought to life through 3D reconstruction

17th-century Gullberg’s fortress in Gothenburg brought to life through 3D reconstruction

After seven years of archaeological investigation, Arkeologerna has published a 3D reconstruction of Gullberg’s Fäste, a 17th-century fortress that once stood on Gothenburg’s Gullberget Hill. The reconstruction…

Neanderthals turned cave lion bones into multifunctional tools 130,000 years ago, study reveals

Neanderthals turned cave lion bones into multifunctional tools 130,000 years ago, study reveals

A recent discovery in Belgium’s Scladina Cave has unveiled the oldest known multi-purpose tools made from the bones of a cave lion, offering evidence of Neanderthal resourcefulness…

Donkey sacrifice from 4,500 years ago in ancient Gath reveals early Canaan–Egypt trade

Donkey sacrifice from 4,500 years ago in ancient Gath reveals early Canaan–Egypt trade

Archaeologists have unearthed a discovery in central Israel that sheds light on ancient Canaan and Egypt’s cultural and economic relations from about 4,500 years ago. Four complete…

300,000-year-old wooden tools found in China reveal early humans’ plant-based diet and cognitive abilities in East Asia

300,000-year-old wooden tools found in China reveal early humans’ plant-based diet and cognitive abilities in East Asia

An important cache of 35 wooden tools, dated at an estimated 300,000 years ago, has been unearthed at the Gantangqing site in Yunnan Province, southwest China. This…

Lost medieval town of Hamarkaupangen rediscovered in Norway after years of searching

Lost medieval town of Hamarkaupangen rediscovered in Norway after years of searching

After searching and speculating for nearly a decade, archaeologists from the Norwegian Insтιтute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU) have confirmed they found the missing medieval town of…