More than 500 documents and artifacts dating back centuries ago are on display at an archaeological exhibition which kicked off in the northern province of Ninh Binh on October 24.

The exhibition takes visitors back to different periods in Vietnam’s history, from the Dong Son Culture (1,000 BC to 100 AD) through many feudal dynasties – Dinh Dynasty (968 – 980), Early Le Dynasty (980 – 1009), Ly Dynasty (1009 – 1225), Tran Dynasty (1225 – 1400), Later Le Dynasty (1428 – 1788) and Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945). 

The exhibited objects are made of various materials, such as bone, stone, bronze, pottery, and wood. They include bronze drums, working tools, ceremonial bells and jewelries fabricated by people from the Dong Son Culture alongside ivory-made official seals, hand fans, terra-cotta dragon heads, roof-tiles and bricks, and a variety of domestic pottery from the ancient dynasties.

The exhibition is part of a series of events to celebrate the 1050th anniversary of the establishment of Dai Co Viet, the first feudal state of Vietnam, according to Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports.

It aims to not only introduce to the public a wide collection of scarce artifacts of Ninh Binh but also raise people’s awareness of the importance of cultural heritage preservation.

The event is open through October 30. –VNA