A team of archaeologists has unveiled significant findings related to the Bronze Age at the Vuon Chuoi Archaeological Site, located in Lai Xa Hamlet, Kim Chung Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi.

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Archaeologists at the Vuon Chuoi archaeological site.


Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Quy, a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology, shared that the excavation conducted on the western side of the Vuon Chuoi site covered a total area of 6,000 square meters. Several pits, each about 100 square meters in size, were excavated, leading to preliminary findings of major importance.

“The initial discoveries revealed a settlement area from the pre-Dong Son period,” said Dr. Quy. “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 within, surrounded by a protective moat about 10 meters wide and 2.5 to 3 meters deep.”

Observations suggest that the construction material consisted of yellow-brown clay, likely sourced from natural mounds in the area. The interior of the site exhibits traces of pre-Dong Son cultural phases, with burial sites located on the outer slopes. The northwest corner, in particular, revealed a dense burial area, forming a necropolis from at least two overlapping periods.

“These discoveries are pivotal for understanding the Bronze Age 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.”

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Funerary objects in early Dong Son burial mounds.
Photos: Institute of Archaeology

Although the excavation at Vuon Chuoi is nearing completion, preservation efforts have been slow. Since 2019, the Institute of Archaeology, alongside other relevant organizations, has submitted documentation to authorities to ensure protection for the site. However, only the eastern part of Vuon Chuoi, which was allowed to be preserved, has been listed as a heritage site under inventory.

“Despite its comparable value, Vuon Chuoi has not yet received the same level of recognition as the Dong Dau site, which has been classified as a Special National Monument,” Dr. Quy remarked.

The delay in the site's official recognition has left archaeologists questioning the reasons behind it. Representatives from the Hanoi Museum have assured that following the symposium, the Heritage Management Department will work closely with the Cultural Department of Hoai Duc District to streamline the procedures for proposing Vuon Chuoi's classification 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,” affirmed the Chairman of the Hoai Duc People's Committee.

Tinh Le