59th National Archaeological Discoveries Conference Highlights Recent Findings in Hanoi

The 59th Conference on New Archaeological Discoveries, a hallmark event for Vietnam’s archaeology sector, took place on November 14 and 15, 2024, at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (1 Liễu Giai, Ba Đình, Hanoi). Organized annually by the Institute of Archaeology, the event highlights Vietnam’s archaeological achievements and serves as a vital platform for sharing research findings, discussing new discoveries, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

The conference aimed to introduce the public to cutting-edge archaeological research, raise awareness about heritage conservation, and provide a foundation for developing strategies and projects tied to Vietnam’s economic, cultural, and social development. It also marked 59 years of progress in Vietnam’s archaeological sector, which has been integral to understanding the nation’s history and cultural identity.

At the opening ceremony, Associate Professor and PhD holder Nguyen Duc Minh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized the conference’s enduring significance in the development of Vietnamese archaeology over more than half a century. He called the event an essential platform for academics to meet, exchange information, and debate scholarly findings. He added that it opens doors to potential collaborations for research, investment, and the preservation and promotion of Vietnam’s cultural heritage. In his speech, Dr. Nguyen Duc Minh highlighted the importance of addressing gaps in the nation’s historical narrative and ensuring that research continues to uncover Vietnam’s rich and diverse history.

In his keynote address, Dr. Ha Van Can, Acting Deputy Director of the Institute of Archaeology, highlighted the close collaboration between central and local authorities as a defining feature of recent archaeological activities. This cooperation has been evident in the success of excavation, research, conservation, and the promotion of cultural heritage projects across many regions of Vietnam. In 2024, the archaeology sector achieved remarkable results, making significant contributions to understanding the historical trajectory of the Vietnamese nation. These efforts have reaffirmed the value of ancient cultures, civilizations, and traditions of Vietnam’s early communities, inspiring a national aspiration for development and a strong sense of self-reliance. They also contribute to the advancement of Vietnam’s economy, the building of its people, and the cultivation of a progressive culture deeply rooted in the nation’s rich identity, supporting the country’s ongoing revolutionary endeavors.

Associate Professor and PhD holder Bui Van Liem, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Archaeology, presented a comprehensive report evaluating Vietnam’s nationwide archaeological research activities in 2024. He noted that scientific studies conducted this year have added invaluable and entirely new materials to the understanding of the formation and development of the Vietnamese nation, as well as the emergence and evolution of its people. These contributions have played a significant role in researching, protecting, conserving, restoring, and promoting the historical and cultural values of Vietnam. The presentations at the conference collectively pursued the shared objective of studying the nation-building and defense efforts of Vietnam’s ancestors. The materials provided by scholars serve as compelling evidence to affirm and firmly safeguard the sacred sovereignty of the Vietnamese nation. The 59th Conference on New Archaeological Discoveries in 2024 received 383 submissions. These included seven papers on general activities, 36 on prehistoric archaeology, 63 on protohistoric and early-state archaeology, 221 on historical archaeology, 50 on Champa and Óc Eo archaeology, and six on underwater archaeology. These reports drew from hundreds of surveys and excavations conducted across the country, showcasing the vibrant and productive state of archaeological research in Vietnam.

With 383 submissions, the 2024 archaeological activities in Vietnam demonstrated vibrant and widespread engagement across the country, achieving significant results. Many of the reports, particularly those on large-scale excavations, were conducted with meticulous care and seriousness, offering a wealth of diverse content. These findings provide valuable new physical evidence, enabling deeper research into fundamental issues of Vietnamese archaeology and contributing to a clearer understanding of the nation’s historical trajectory and the development of its people.

The Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center is the managing body responsible for the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Co Loa Special National Relic. In 2024, the Center collaborated with the Institute of Archaeology to expand archaeological excavations at the central area of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, fulfilling commitments made by the Prime Minister to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The excavation results from the central area of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in 2024 were thoroughly reported by the excavation team. These findings reaffirmed the continuity of cultural layers spanning from the Đại La period through the Lý, Trần, Early Lê, Later Lê, and Nguyễn Dynasties. The excavations clarified the architectural layout of the Kính Thiên Palace during the Later Lê period, which was built atop the earlier structure from the Early Lê period and further revealed the architectural space of the Lý Dynasty. Within the excavation site, architectural remains were uncovered, dating from the Lý Dynasty to the Nguyễn Dynasty. The 2024 excavation of the Kính Thiên Palace site has made notable contributions to the study of the Forbidden City of Thang Long. The architectural remnants and artifacts discovered continue to illustrate the complex historical and cultural layers beneath the surface of Thang Long – Hanoi. These findings provide additional material that highlights the immense, rich, and diverse values of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, aligning with its three outstanding universal criteria as a World Heritage Site. Moreover, they support ongoing research aimed at restoring the spatial layout of the Kính Thiên Palace during the Lê period. In addition to excavation reports, detailed studies of artifacts and remains at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel were also presented, offering deeper insights into this culturally significant site.

The Conference on New Archaeological Discoveries is an annual event that serves not only as a scientific forum but also as an opportunity for both professional and amateur archaeologists from across the country to meet and exchange information on new findings and recent research. It fosters collaboration among the Institute of Archaeology, universities, museums, and heritage sites, contributing to the advancement of archaeological studies in particular and cultural research in general.

Reported by: Bui Thi Thu Phuong