Over 100 burials from 4000 years ago discovered at Vườn Chuối

The excavation covers an area of over 6,000sq.m with 60 research pits, each measuring 100sq.m. Photo courtesy of the Institute of Archaeology

HÀ NỘI - Archaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology, Hà Nội Museum and the Hà Nội University of Social Sciences and Humanities have announced the discovery of over 70 graves from Pre-Đông Sơn period and 40 graves from Đông Sơn period at the Vườn Chuối archaeological relic in Kim Chung Commune, Hoài Đức District.

The Pre-Đông Sơn period dates back approximately 4,000 years, while the Đông Sơn period is around 2,500 years old.

The excavation began this March, covering an area of over 6,000sq.m with 60 research pits, each measuring 100sq.m.

Some of the remains were found adorned with numerous bracelets on both arms, alongside the practice of extracting front teeth and burying ceramic and bronze items with the remains.

"Among these findings, an important characteristic is that the Pre-Đông Sơn graves show a practice of extracting front teeth in adults, which is not observed in the Đông Sơn cultural period," said Associate Professor-Doctor Nguyễn Lân Cường, Secretary General of the Việt Nam Archaeology Association.

"For the first time, Việt Nam has an archaeological relic with such a large number of graves that have been well-preserved," he added.

These new findings will assist scientists in further exploring aspects such as anthropology, genetics, pathology, mobility and dietary practices of ancient Vietnamese people during the Chalcolithic period and the Bronze Age in Northern Việt Nam.

This excavation also uncovered many traces of hearths, ceramics and weapons, alongside other remains made of stone, bronze, ceramics, wood and iron from different periods, ranging from the late Phùng Nguyên to the late Đông Sơn.

One of the ancient graves which contains many burial items. Photo courtesy of the Institute of Archaeology

Another significant discovery from the recent excavation at Vườn Chuối is traces of post holes as the remains of architectural structures related to the housing of the Đông Sơn people.

The discovery opens up new opportunities for understanding the architecture and the spatial arrangement of living spaces within the village of ancient Vietnamese during the Đông Sơn period.

"We have currently reconstructed the architecture of two long house structures, similar to those of certain ethnic groups in the Central Highlands region," said Associate Professor-Doctor Lâm Thị Mỹ Dung from Hà Nội University of Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr Nguyễn Ngọc Quý from the Institute of Archaeology said that the findings from the excavation provide evidence confirming that Vườn Chuối was a village established and continuously developed by humans from the Chalcolithic period to the Bronze Age, dating back 2,000 to 4,000 years.

“The excavation and research results have provided substantial material evidence of early human presence in the area that is now Hà Nội," he said.

"Furthermore, they demonstrate the origins and history of the Vietnamese people from prehistoric times, from the era of Hùng King.”

The archaeologists have asked for permission from the Hà Nội People's Committee and the Department of Culture and Sports to continue excavating the remaining parts of the site.

In particular, they hope to expedite the recognition of the Vườn Chuối archaeological relic as a city-level heritage site, along with plans for its preservation, conservation, and enhancement its value.

Vườn Chuối was first discovered in 1969 by the Việt Nam Archaeological Institute and has to date undergone eleven excavations.

Metal Age archaeological relics from the Phùng Nguyên, Đồng Đậu, and Gò Mun periods to the Đông Sơn period in Northern Việt Nam are extremely rare, with only two remaining sites, including Vườn Chuối and Đồng Đậu in Vĩnh Phúc Province.