On July 31, 2013, a Scientific Workshop on Archaeological Excavation and Research for the 2 years of 2012-2013 has been organized at the Meeting Room of Vietnam National Museum of History, no.1 Pham Ngu Lao, Hanoi.
Attending the workshop was Mr. Nguyen Huu Toan - Deputy Director General of Department of Cultural Heritage - as the representative of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and many representatives of leaders from research institutions, universities and news agencies. It is also attended by Vietnam National Museum of History’s Board of Directors, Head and Vice of specialized divisions and officials. PhD. Nguyen Van Cuong - Director of Vietnam National Museum of History and Mr Nguyen Huu Toan - Deputy Director General of Department of Cultural Heritage co-chaired the workshop.
Overall view of the workshop
At the workshop, PhD. Nguyen Van Doan - Head of Research and Collecting Division, Vietnam National Museum of History presented a general report on the museum’s archaeological research and excavations during 2012 -2013. The report has mentioned on the significant achievements made in the archaeological research and excavations in large scale as the followings:
- Archaeological survey in pre-historic cave sites in Lang Son province (collaborated with Lang Son Museum).
- Archaeological excavation of Bai Coi dwelling site, Ha Tinh province (collaborated with National Museum of South Korea).
- Archaeological excavation of Luy Lau ancient citadel, Bac Ninh province (collaborated with University of East Asia and Saitama University, Japan).
- Excavation of architectural vestige of Ly dynasty located in Phuong Nhi mountain, Y Yen district, Nam Dinh province.
- Binh Chau sunken ship excavation (Quang Ngai province).
- Survey on ancient seaport system (collaborated with Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Binh Dinh provinces…)
- Survey, excavation of Oc Eo cultural dwelling sites in Dong Thap and Long An provinces…
PhD. Nguyen Van Doan is presenting a general report on the research and excavation of archaeology.
In spite of the difficulties as a new merging from the Vietnam Museum of Revolution and Vietnam Museum of History, such above considerable achievements made by Vietnam National Museum of History should be well acknowledged. Such bring out new scientific proofs in the archaeology lasted in the pre-historic time like Sa Huynh, Champa, Oc Eo cultures as well as the periods of Dai Viet (Great Vietnam) culture.
Artifacts excavated in Bai Coi dwelling site.
Four reports in details addressed in the workshop were:
- Bai Coi dwelling site through 3 times of excavations presented by Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang
- Excavation report of Thap Mam site, Binh Dinh province presented by Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Chat
- Excavation of Binh Chau ancient sunken ship, the sixth ancient ship in Vietnamese sea presented by Mr Nguyen Dinh Chien
- Research of underwater cultural heritage in South Korea that was carried out by a delegation of Vietnam National Museum of History in June 24 to July 23, 2013, reported by Mr Nguyen Tuan Lam.
Artifacts excavated in Cam Mit dwelling site.
After listening to the detailed reports and watching video clips and slides of excavation processes with full range of artifacts, the attendees have discussed on the issues and expressed the opinions enthusiastically.
A scientist is speaking at the workshop
There were 9 scientists and administrators speaking at the workshop. Some of them focused on the topic discussion, some focused on the clarification and opening scientific issues that resulted from such excavations. But most of opinions were to highly appropriate the efforts of Vietnam National Museum of History in the research and excavation of archaeology in the last over one year that have brought about significant and positive achievements and contribution to the national archaeology and cultural - historical research.
PhD. Nguyen Van Cuong speaking at the workshop
Concluding the workshop, PhD. Nguyen Van Cuong - Director of Vietnam National Museum of History expressed his gratitude to the effective collaboration of Institute of Archaeology, University of Social Science and Humanities in running the above research and excavations. Regarding the next issues of excavations, he directed the Research and Collecting Division to acquire the scientist’s opinions of today to continue its task of research, amendment and fulfill the necessary documents for further excavations that can serve for the clarification of scientific conclusions with the qualitative, quantitative and naming for the dwelling sites and artifacts related to such excavations. He also expressed a wish to receive a further collaboration and partnership from research institutions and individuals in the next research programs of museum.
The Scientific Workshop has been concluded successfully, that shows the ability in carrying out the archaeological research and excavation is growing up for the Vietnam National Museum of History. It is one of the basic step but important in its role as of a leading museum in Vietnam./.
Written by: Minh Vượng
Photo: Nguyễn Hương
Translated: Tran Trang