47th archaeology conference in Hanoi

In the morning of 27th September, the 47th Archaeology Conference – 2002 was held in Hanoi by Vietnam Institute of Archaeology. This is annual conference where the archaeologists may meet each other and announce the latest archaeological findings.

During this year conference the Institute of Archaeology has received nearly 500 archaeological reports from the localities. Addressing the conference, Asso.Prof.Dr Tong Trung Tin – The Director of the Institute of Archaeology said that this is a happy signal, proving the constant efforts exerted by the archaeologists.

In this 47th conference, 2 stone-age archaeological investigation and excavation programs; 8 metal age archaeological excavations; 15 historical archaeological excavations; 4 Oc eo archaeological excavation and surveys have been announced.

The most remarkable archaeological findings in 2012 is the discovery of the cave system which has been continuously developed for 20,000 to 4,000 years ago in the Nature Heritage Site in Trang An, Ninh Binh.

This important archaeological achievement has contributed to an important criterion for the international experts to make consideration and decision to submit Trang An Heritage Documents for being inscribed on the World’s Heritage list to be held in 2013.

In addition, the most ancient stone stele in Vietnam has been discovered (dating back to 601) in Bac Ninh, small ceramic pieces of Ly dynasty at 62-64 Tran Phu (Hanoi) with the writing “Động Nhân cung” (the name of a big palace of Father and Mother of the King Ly Than Tong in Thang Long citadel)…

The archaeological excavation jointly carried out at Thang Long Imperial Citadel site by Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Preservation Center and Vietnam Institute of Archaeology in 2011 has showed a significant evidence on the existence and continuity of these relics from Ly dynasty to Nguyen dynasty, proving that dragon-shaped steps in Kinh Thien palace was constructed and existed in early Ly dynasty.

One of the issues mentioned by the archaeologists in the conference is the investment to be made to have underwater archaeology sector. Vietnam is one among the countries powerful in sea, having so many advantages and potentialities in sea, however, so far we have not paid due attention to this field of archaeology. The actual excavation of the wrecks on sea and antiques, relics excavated from the rivers by the local people have showed the great potentialities in underwater archaeology of Vietnam.

According to Asso. Prof. Dr Nguyen Lan Cuong, Deputy General Secretary of Vietnam Archaeology Association, this is the most serious shortcoming of Vietnam archaeology sector. In the future, Vietnam Institute of Archaeology will submit to the Government the Project of establishing underwater archaeology sector.

However, it can not be realized as soon as desired but there must be careful preparations, especially human resources with modern technology.

Survey and discovery of a wall segment in Nguyen dynasty in the center of Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Antiques discovered in Cu Lao Cham

Thang Long – Hanoi Heritage Preservation Center