New archaeological discoveries about Dong Son culture in Cao Bang by VNU-USSH scientists

The seminar was attended by Cao Bang Provincial Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong, leaders of the Provincial People's Committee, leaders of departments, branches, sectors and organizations of the province; former provincial leaders; a number of local cultural and historical researchers; representatives of the People's Committees of some communes and wards in the province.
On the side of scientists, the seminar was attended by Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, along with lecturers of the school, scientists from the National Cultural Heritage Council, Vietnam Archaeological Association, Hanoi Historical Association...
Opening the discussion, Dr. Le Hai Hoa, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Cao Bang province expressed: In the flow of Vietnamese history in the early history, the focus of the hypothesis about the Nam Cuong country and the legend "Cau chua cheng vua" located in Hoa An, Cao Bang raised a big question: So what was the role of Cao Bang in the period of unifying Van Lang and Nam Cuong to form the Au Lac state? From that issue, the discussion was organized with the urge and direction to create practical steps in the journey to find the origin to arouse pride, build a happy Cao Bang, develop for the people. Research on An Duong Vuong not only aims to decode a historical period but also helps to cultivate identity, create spiritual strength for today's development journey.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi emphasized that the school identified archaeological research, cultural history and heritage to move towards the latest and most updated scientific results as a basis for advising on local economic, social and cultural development as the focus.
The responsibility of scientists and research institutions is to clarify and elucidate some points in the general research on Dong Son culture or the early development periods of primitive states, which is very clear, but in particular for Cao Bang, there are still some points that need to be invested in better research. Some points are clear about legends, myths and the flow from Cao Bang to Co Loa, but the traces of Dong Son culture have not been placed in specific strata in terms of archaeological excavation. This is the concern of scientists to clarify the important link of Cao Bang in the flow of Vietnamese History. Therefore, responsible research contributes to maintaining the "foundation" of a "border" region that has been protected and preserved by our ancestors.

Cao Bang Provincial Party Secretary Quan Minh Cuong suggested that scientists coordinate with the province to continue to conduct systematic and systematic scientific research using historical documents as well as national and international standard documents to recognize a historical issue. In addition, continue to survey, research and collect Dong Son cultural artifacts in Cao Bang to supplement the source of artifacts and materials for museum display and to disseminate the values of historical and cultural heritage, as well as to serve scientific research and community education...
The Provincial Party Secretary expressed his hope that scientists would continue to pay attention to and accompany Cao Bang province in archaeological research, effectively implement the work of preserving and promoting heritage values and promoting the local image, while promoting cooperation in the fields of scientific research, human resource training and consulting on cultural development strategies in Cao Bang province.

At the seminar, scientists proposed that, with the historical and cultural values of Dong Son cultural relics and artifacts in Cao Bang, it is necessary to expand the investigation and survey in different areas in Cao Bang province. At the same time, building a system of distribution maps of archaeological relics in particular and historical and cultural relics in general in Cao Bang province is a necessary task in the current context. In addition, it is necessary to continue to survey, research and collect Dong Son cultural artifacts in particular, and Prehistoric artifacts in general to supplement the source of artifacts and materials for museum display and to disseminate the values of historical and cultural heritage, as well as to serve scientific research and community education.
According to scientists, in the past 10 years, there have been very few archaeological studies in Cao Bang province. There have been only a few studies and excavations in Ban Phu citadel and Na Lu citadel, and almost no studies on the Prehistoric period. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct investigations and surveys to discover and excavate research on Prehistoric relics, especially Dong Son cultural relics and the Thuc Phan - An Duong Vuong period.

The seminar also listened to valuable contributions from experts and prestigious researchers. In a report on the topic "Cao Bang in the era of nation building", Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Historical Science Association, in a cooperation program with Cao Bang province, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities sent a team of experts to appraise nearly 400 artifacts and conduct field surveys, mapping 17 locations where artifacts were discovered. In that spirit, Prof. Nguyen Quang Ngoc expects the great ideas of experts and managers, especially the plan to expand the investigation and survey, conduct archaeological excavations to soon find authentic Dong Son cultural relics in the soil of Cao Bang.
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Kim, Vice Chairman of the National Cultural Heritage Council, emphasized that the diverse and rich historical and cultural heritages promise great potential for the strong and sustainable development of Cao Bang's local culture.