TTLV: Metal Age archaeological sites in the Nam Mu River basin (Lai Chau)

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MASTER'S THESIS

1. Student's full name:Nguyen Tho Dinh    

2. Gender: Male

3. Date of birth: May 15, 1985.

4. Place of birth: Bac Giang.

5. Decision No. 3683/2015/QD-XHNV dated December 31, 2015, of the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, recognizing the student.

6. Changes in the training process:

7. Thesis title:Archaeological sites from the Metal Age in the Nam Mu River basin (Lai Chau).

8. Major: Archaeology Code: 60.22.03.17

9. Scientific supervisor:Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Van Liem, Institute of Archaeology.

10. Summary of the thesis results:

The Northwest region in general, and the Nam Mu River basin in particular, is an attractive research area for many social sciences and humanities disciplines, including archaeology. The archaeological sites and artifacts here are important sources of historical data, not only contributing to the study of the historical and cultural values ​​of the Northwest region, but also shedding light on the stages of cultural exchange, development, integration, and transformation between this area and other regions in Vietnam, Southern China, and Southeast Asia. Previously, researchers always considered this area to be primarily the subject of Stone Age archaeology.

This thesis systematizes the investigation, excavation, and research materials of the author and colleagues on the Metal Age in archaeological sites in the Nam Mu River basin. The author has linked these findings with other archaeological research on the Northwest region to provide initial outlines of the Metal Age in the Nam Mu River basin as well as the general situation of the Northwest region.

This thesis has studied the characteristics, properties, age, and developmental stages of the Bronze Age archaeological sites in the Nam Mu River basin to establish a system of archaeological data, helping to fully understand the historical process and cultural characteristics of the Bronze Age in the Nam Mu River basin in particular and Northwest Vietnam in general.

This thesis analyzes and compares archaeological sites in the Nam Mu River basin with other archaeological sites in the upper reaches of the Da River, providing a basis for evaluating the historical and cultural value of these sites. In addition, the thesis compares Bronze Age sites in the Nam Mu River basin with contemporary archaeological sites in the midland and lowland areas of the Red River Delta to understand the level of development and the relative age between the two regions. The research indicates that the Bronze Age sites in the Nam Mu River basin are dated to the same period or relatively later than the chronological system of the Pre-Dong Son and Dong Son cultures in northern Vietnam during the Bronze Age. The appearance of the Bronze Age in the Nam Mu River basin - Lai Chau has characteristic mountainous features, and the bronze tools and weapons have unique features adapted to the living environment of the people.

11. Practical applications:

- Establishing a system of archaeological documentation will help to fully understand the historical process and cultural characteristics of the Metal Age in the Nam Mu River basin in particular and Northwest Vietnam in general.

- To provide accurate documentation for research into the development of livelihoods and settlement habits of prehistoric people in this region.

- This thesis can be used as a reference document in teaching, learning, and research on the Metal Age in Northwest Vietnam.

12. Future research directions:

- The path of metallurgy in the Northwest region: Is the Northwest region a slower-developing region compared to the Northeast region of Vietnam? What was the contribution of the Northwest region to the formation of the State?

- Cultural relationships during the Bronze Age in the Northwest region with surrounding areas (Southern China, Laos, the midland and delta regions of Northern Vietnam...).

13. Published works related to the thesis:

1. Results of excavations at the Ban Kha site (Lai Chau),NPHMVKCH 2011,Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, (Co-authored with Ha Van Phung).

2. Traces related to metallurgy at the Ban Kha site (Pha Mu commune, Than Uyen district, Lai Chau province).NPHMVKCH 2011,Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi.

3. Results of excavation and relocation of archaeological relics in the Huội Quảng hydroelectric reservoir (Lai Châu).NPHMVKCH 2012,Social Sciences Publishing House (Co-authored).

4. Results of excavations at Ban Mo site (Lai Chau),NPHMVKCH 2012,Social Sciences Publishing House, (Co-authored with Ha Kien Cuong).

5. Techniques for crafting stone rings at the Ta Vai 1 archaeological site.NPHMVKCH 2012,Social Sciences Publishing House.

6. Arrowhead mold discovered at Ta Vai I archaeological site (Than Uyen - Lai Chau).NPHMVKCH 2013, Social Sciences Publishing House.

7. Bronze axe discovered in Than Uyên (Lai Châu).NPHMVKCH 2014, Social Sciences Publishing House (Co-authored with Bui Van Hung).

8. The Metal Age in Dien Bien, Son La, and Lai Chau Provinces: New Documents and Perspectives.Archeology, No. 3-2015, (Co-authored with Trinh Sinh and Nguyen Thi Hao).

9. Dien Bien, Son La and Lai Chau in Bronze Age: Data and new Perception.Vietnam Social Sciences5(175)2016 (Written jointly with Trinh Sinh, Nguyen Thi Hao).

INFORMATION ON MASTER'S THESIS

1. Full name: Nguyen Tho Dinh 2. Sex: Male

3. Date of birth: May 15, 1985 4. Place of birth: Bac Giang province

5. Admission decision number: 3683/2015/QD-XHNV dated: December 31, 2015 from Headmaster of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi National University.

6. Changes in academic process:

7. Official thesis title: Archaeological sites from the Metal Age in Nam Mu river basin (Lai Chau province)

8. Major: Archeology Code: 60.22.03.17

9. Supervisors: Bui Van Liem, Assoc. Prof. PhD, Vietnam Institute of Archeology

10. Summary of the findings of the thesis:

The Northwestern area of ​​Northern Vietnam in general and the Southern Mu-river basin in particular appeal to many disciplines of social sciences and humanities, including Archaeology. The archaeological sites and their found artifacts are an important source of historical data not only for the research into the cultural and historical values ​​of the Northwestern area, but they also highlight the stages of cultural interaction, development and integration and acculturation between this area and other regions in Vietnam, Southern China and Southeast Asian countries. This area used to be considered as a research subject of Stone Age by many researchers.

In my thesis, I have systematized all the data of the investigations, excavations and studies of the Metal Age in the archaeological sites in the Nam Mu-river basin, which were conducted by my colleagues and myself. I have associated with other archaeological studies of the Northwest region to bring out the first sketch of the Metal-Age period in the Nam Mu River basin and the overall situation of the Northwestern area.

The thesis also includes the research into the identities, characteristics, chronology and development stages of the archaeological sites in the Nam Mu-river basin in order to systematize the archaeological data, which makes it possible to fully understand the historical and cultural characteristics of the Metal Age in the Nam Mu-river basin in particular and the Northwestern area in general.

The analysis and comparison of the archaeological sites in the Nam Mu-river basin and the other archaeological sites in the upper Da-River area serve as a base for assessment of their historical and cultural values. In addition, there are also comparisons between the Metal-age sites in the Nam Mu-river basin and other synchronic archaeological sites in the midlands and the Red-River delta to demonstrate the development level and related dates of these two areas.

The research demonstrates that the Metal-age sites in the Nam Mu-river basin have the same or fairly later dates than those of the pre-Dong Son and Dong Son-culture in Northern Vietnam in the Metal Age. The physiognomy of the Metal Age in the Nam Mu-river basin is characterized by mountainous features, bronze tools and weapons with their own characteristics that adapted to the living environment

11. Practical applicability, if any:

- The thesis has established a system of the archaeological data that helps to fully understand the history and the cultural characteristics of the Metal age in the Southern Mu-river basin in particular and the Northwestern area in general.

- It provides the authentic data for the research into the development of livelihood and the prehistoric human habits for selection of settlement sites in this area.

- It can be used as references for teaching, learning, studying the Metal age in Northwestern areaof Northern Vietnam.

12. Further research directions, if any:

- The process of the Northwestern area turning into Metal age: Is it slower than that of the Northeast area of ​​Northern Vietnam? What is the contribution of the Northwestern area to the State foundation in Vietnam?

- The Metal Age cultural relationship between the Northwestern area and the vicinities (Southern China, Laos, the midland delta of Northern Vietnam, etc.)?

13. Thesis-related publications:

1. Results of the excavation at Ban Kha site (Lai Chau),New archaeological discoveries in 2011, Publishing House of Social Sciences, Hanoi, (co-written with Ha Van Phung).

2. Metallurgical traces at Ban Kha site (Pha Mu, Than Uyen, Lai Chau),New archaeological discoveries in 2011, Publishing House of Social Sciences, Hanoi.

3. Results of excavation at archaeological sites in Huoi Quang hydropower reservoir area (Lai Chau province),New archaeological discoveries in 2012, Publishing House of Social Sciences, (co-written with other authors).

4. Results of excavation at Ban Mo site (Lai Chau),New archaeological discoveries in 2012, Social Science Publishing House, (co-written with Ha Kien Cuong).

5. Techniques for making stone rings at Ta Vai 1 site,New archaeological discoveries in 2012, Publishing House of Social Sciences.

6. Arrow molds found from Ta Vai I site,New archaeological discoveries in 2013, Publishing House of Social Sciences.

7. A bronze ax found at Than Uyen (Lai Chau).New archaeological discoveries in 2014, Publishing House of Social Sciences (co-written with Bui Van Hung).

8. Dien Bien, Son La and Lai Chau in Bronze Age: Data and new Perception.Archaeology, 3-2015, (co-written with Trinh Sinh and Nguyen Thi Hao).

9. Dien Bien, Son La and Lai Chau in Bronze Age: Data and new Perception.Vietnam Social Sciences5(175)2016 (co-written with Trinh Sinh and Nguyen Thi Hao).