Man Bac archaeological site
Attending the conference were Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Ms. Dinh Thi My Hanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province; Mr. Nguyen Cao Tan - Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Ninh Binh province; Mr. Le Quoc Vu - Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tong Trung Tin - President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc - Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association; Mr. Truong Dinh Tuong - President of the Ninh Binh Provincial Historical Science Association; and numerous researchers and managers from research institutions such as the Institute of Archaeology, the National Museum of History, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, etc.
The delegates visited the excavation site and listened to representatives of the excavation team introduce the excavation process, methods, and objectives of this excavation. In particular, the scientists exchanged and discussed extensively the stratigraphy and the noteworthy relics and artifacts discovered during this excavation. After two months of excavation, from April 22nd to June 24th, the excavation team has basically completed the excavation and site preparation work.
Field report from the excavation pit.
Scientists exchange ideas at the archaeological site.
The Man Bac archaeological site, located in Bach Lien village, Yen Thanh commune (Yen Mo district, Ninh Binh province), was discovered in 1998, first excavated in 1999, and subsequently excavated several times in 2001, 2004-2005, 2005, and 2007 by scientists from the Institute of Archaeology, with the participation of international experts from Australia, Japan, and other countries. These excavations identified the Man Bac site as one of the important archaeological sites for understanding the late Neolithic - early Bronze Age period in Vietnam, through 105 burial sites containing 107 individuals and a rich and unique system of artifacts.
Following those results, the 2025 excavation will be conducted on an area of 196m2 with the goal of determining the habitation characteristics and the correlation between the residential area and the burial site. Simultaneously, it aims to uncover and preserve cultural layers through multi-dimensional stratigraphic recording methods (profile and planar), creating a database for interdisciplinary research and conservation efforts to promote the heritage value according to the project "Conservation and Promotion of the Value of the Man Bac Archaeological Site and Bo Bat Pottery Craft (Yen Thanh Commune, Yen Mo District)" issued by the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee in 2023.
The 2025 excavation pit revealed a cultural layer 1.7-1.9m thick, comprising three cultural strata with two consecutive developmental stages. Within this strata, two burial sites containing remains were discovered, along with a suspected child burial site without remains. Other important traces include: traces of hearths and large accumulations of kitchen waste, black soil pits, and post pits. The settlement patterns of these stages are unevenly distributed across the entire excavation pit, with a higher concentration of settlements in the northern area compared to the southern area.
Man Bac stone axe
Man Bac stone carving
Silver Man stone jewelry
The Man Bac people use mollusk shells as tools for production.
The Man Bac people used animal bones to make spearheads for catching fish.
Pottery pounding table of the Man Bac people
The pottery shard has a pattern.
Regarding the animal remains, mollusks, preliminary analysis identified 12 species of mollusks belonging to the bivalve and gastropod groups. Several other species are still under investigation. The collection of vertebrate bones mainly consists of fish bones, including those of large fish such as whales and stingrays, alongside bones of terrestrial animals such as pigs, deer, monkeys, and reptiles. This demonstrates the diverse adaptation and exploitation of natural resources by the Man Bac people.
Delegates attending the Conference
The artifacts recovered are diverse in type and abundant in quantity, made from materials such as stone, pottery, bone, and mollusk shells. Of particular note are fragments that may be pieces of ivory tusks; artifacts made from clam shells that may be a type of "jade"; and a rich collection of tools, weapons, jewelry made from mollusk shells and bone, as well as beautifully decorated pottery.
Excavation results reveal that Man Bac is a residential and burial site, encompassing two stages of development: early and late. Its relative age belongs to the late Neolithic - early Bronze Age, approximately 3,500-4,000 years ago. The diverse collection of relics and artifacts reflects a rich material and spiritual life, the process of adapting to and exploiting nature, and multifaceted cultural relationships.
The conference heard speeches and discussions from delegates and scientists. All opinions highly appreciated the value of the Man Bac relic site, and also suggested and proposed methods for protecting, researching, and promoting its value.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tong Trung Tin - President of the Vietnam Archaeological Association
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc - Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association
Mr. Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism, delivered a speech.
Professor Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, delivered a speech.
Ms. Dinh Thi My Hanh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports, delivered a speech.
At the conference, the Department of Culture and Sports of Ninh Binh province and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, donated a portable loudspeaker worth 8,000,000 VND to the people of Bach Lien village for village activities and donated 5,000,000 VND to the Bach Lien village scholarship fund.
