The archaeological site of Bai Coi actually
includes a group of site such as Bai Coi, Bai Loi and Bai Phoi Phoi, located in
Xuan Vien commune, Nghi Xuan district, Ha Tinh province. The excavation results
indicated that Bai Coi was a special archaeological site, thanks to the
features and artefacts of which have the characteristics of both main cultures:
The Dong Son culture and the Sa Huynh culture. This proves that Bai Coi with
its special position was a meeting point of the residents of Dong Son and Sa
Huynh cultures. This place has a significant position in studying the
Proto-history of Vietnam. Due to its special location and cultural contents,
the archaeological complex of Bai Phoi Phoi-Bai Coi was recognized as a
National Relic in 2014 by the
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. With nearly 150 photos, documents and typical artifacts were selected, the exhibition provides scientific documents, it helps to clarify the gaps in the history of Proto-history in Central Vietnam and to acknowledge the success of the international collaboration between the VNMH, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh province; Ha Tinh Provincial Museum and the National Museum of Korea.
The VNMH and the National Museum of Korea staff joint team were working at the excavation site in 2012 (photo by MNHV)
The special exhibitions has three main parts:
Part 1: Bai Coi - A journey of discover:
This part overview introduction about the process of researching and excavating the archaeological site of Bai Coi, with particular emphasis on 3 excavations by the VNMH. The research results of the excavations unravel many mysteries: Bai Coi belongs to the Sa Huynh culture of central Vietnam, with the introduction of Dong Son culture (in the North of Vietnam) and Chinese iron culture.
The documents and artifacts on the exhibition includes: collections of stone tools, grinding stones, pointed-bottom pottery, excavation photos, drawings and maps, etc.
Part 2: Bai Coi-The rendezvous of different cultures
This part introduces artifacts was excavating on the process of researching and excavating the archaeological burials of Bai Coi site with 2 main types of burial such as the inhumation burials and the jar burials. In particular, researchers have found that burials jar (Sa Huynh) has artifacts of the Dong Son culture, and the inhumation burials of Dong Son culture has characteristics artifacts of Sa Huynh culture and the Chinese iron culture.
The documents and artifacts on the exhibition includes: collections of jar burrials, inhumation burials, burials goods collections, pottery items, bonze items, iron items and jewellery, etc. This part offers visitors the opportunity to have better understanding with the burial method, customs, beliefs and daily life of the people of Bai Coi at that time.
Part 3: International cooperation between the VNMH and the National Museum of Korea
This part introduces about the cooperation process of surveying and excavating of the archaeological site of Bai Coi as the process of preservation and restoration the Bai Coi artifacts by the modern technology and new research methods.
The documents and artifacts on the exhibition include: Photos of research artifacts process, potsherds collection were discovered during the excavation and artifacts restoration.
The exhibitions offers visitors the opportunity to better understand the position, role and value of the Bai Coi site in the historical and cultural process of Vietnam.
The VNMH staff constructing and displaying the Special Exhibition Photo: (Quang Hưng)
The Special Exhibition “Bai Coi-The rendezvous of different cultures” are being urgently completed by VNMH curators and will be open exhibition to visitors on November 18th, 2020.
Text by Vu Hang - Eng by Lê Liên