Overall perspective of Dong Dau Park in Yen Lac Town, Vinh Phuc Province. Photo baovinhphuc.com.vn

First unearthed about 60 years ago, and recognised as a national historical-cultural relic in 2000, the famous archaeological site features elements of the Dong Dau culture (1,500-1,000 BC), one of the late prehistoric Bronze Age cultures in the Red River Delta of Vietnam.

Numerous artefacts of the four cultures during the time of the Hung Kings, about 4,000 years ago, have also been found through several excavations at Dong Dau, which is known as one of the country's largest archaeological sites covering a total area of 8.5ha in Dong Village of Yen Lac Town. 

The four cultures includes Phung Nguyen, Dong Dau, Go Mun, and Dong Son. 

The project for Dong Dau Park in Yen Lac Town, Yen Lac District, will cover 5.4ha with an investment of VND90 billion (nearly US$4 million), and be scheduled for completion by 2025.

It is expected to contribute to preserving the historical and cultural values of the site, and to combine with the Gia Loan Temple and Bien Son Pagoda to create a highlight for spiritual and heritage tourism in the locality.

It is also designed to expand the green space for residents, according to a report published by the Yen Lac District administration. 

Scientific proof 

The Dong Dau archaeological site is important not only for understanding the sequence of prehistoric cultures in the Red River Delta region but also for the insight it provides into the development of early civilisations in Vietnam, according to Dr Nguyen Quang Mien, an archaeologist, at the Institute of Archaeology in Hanoi.

In his research on radiocarbon dating of the Dong Dau period, the archaeologist said the relative chronology of the prehistoric cultures of the Red River had been established. 

The Dong Dau culture was preceded by the Phung Nguyen, and succeeded by the Go Mun and Dong Son cultures. 

He revealed that the distribution of 17 archaeological sites belonging to the Dong Dau culture had been identified. All of them are scattered throughout the Red River Valley in the Bac Bo (northern region), including the provinces of Vinh Phuc, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Son Tay, as well as in the city of Hanoi.

Most sites are located in low-lying areas next to rivers, terraces or small hills in the centre of the North.

Using statistical methods, the scientist has obtained a date range for the Dong Dau culture, putting it at about 3,600 to 3,050 years ago. This dating is in accordance with the dates proposed by Professor Ha Van Tan (1999).

A female employee cleans antiquities preserved at the provincial museum in Vinh Phuc. Photo baovinhphuc.vn

In another development, archaeologists in 2013 discovered a tomb containing the remains of a man who was believed to live in the Phung Nguyen era about 3,500 years ago, at the Dau relic site in Vinh Phuc.

Professor Nguyen Lan Cuong, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Archaeology (VAA), said the remains were unearthed during an excavation jointly conducted by the VAA, the History Faculty of the University of Social Sciences and Humanity, and the Vinh Phuc provincial culture authority.

The remains, believed to be a 1.6 metre-tall man, were sent to the province’s museum for further research and preservation.

Many other artefacts such as stone axes and graters, bronze arrows, ceramics and jewellery made of stone, animal horns and bones were also found during the evacuation. Scientists dated them back to the Dong Dau, Go Mun and Phung Nguyen cultures.

Since its first discovery in 1962, the Dong Dau archaeological site has been strictly protected and preserved for excavations, research and study tours for specialised scientific agencies, scientists and researchers.

Some of the artefacts discovered in an excavation in 1999 in the Dong Dau archaeological site. Photo vinhphuc.gov.vn

The heritage site has undergone seven major explorations and excavations since 1965, with a total area of 758 sq.m, concentrated on the southern, eastern and western parts with an average depth of over 3m including some places up to 6m.

The seventh excavation carried out in December 2012 in the west of the site covered an area of 25sq.m and unearthed numerous artefacts reflecting the life of the ancient Vietnamese. 

These important discoveries not only helped to increase the archaeological value of the site but also created favourable conditions for researching and defining the country's early culture.

Prof Hoang Xuan Chinh, who led three archaeological excavations at Dong Dau, said that there had been no archaeological sites in the country as meaningful and valuable as Dong Dau.

"Each excavation helps us get closer to and know better about our prehistory. We really hope that Vinh Phuc will make more investments in the relic site, and take great measures in managing and protecting the nation’s special site,” he said.

By the end of 2012, the Vinh Phuc Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism established a project repairing Dong Dau archaeological site with VND3.2 billion, invested by the Yen Lac People's Committee.

As the Dong Dau heritage site has many precious mysteries, the cultural preservation and protection of the site is essential, the local district authorities have noted.

The present Dong Dau archaeological site in Yen Lac District, Vinh Phuc Province. Photo vanhoavaphattrien.vn

The area is the origin of the ancient Vietnamese and a store of cultural and historical values, which will leave a unique legacy for future generations.

Once Dong Dau Park is finished, it is expected to help boost tourism in local areas and promote the special historical and cultural values of Yen Lac District and Vinh Phuc Province in general. 

Source: Vietnam News

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