The Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), held the 48th Conference of Archaeological Announcements on 26-27 September 2013 at the head office of VASS, no. 1 Lieu Giai street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.
The participants at the Conference included Assoc.Prof.Dr. Tong Trung Tin, Director of Institute of Archaeology; Dr. Bui Van Liem, Deputy Director Institute of Archaeology; the staff of the Institute of Archaeology, and representatives from Verera Lensch Institute of Archaeology (Federal Republic of Germany), Vietnam History Association, National History Museum, Hanoi Museum, University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Hanoi National University), Vietnam Association for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, research institutes under Vietnam VASS.
According to the general report on the archeological activities in 2013 by Dr. Bui Van Liem, Deputy Director of Institute of Archaeology, the organizers had received 436 archeological reports from domestic and foreign scholars, of which 57 papers were attached to the Stone Age archaeology. Outstanding Stone Age-related archaeological activities could be named as the collaboration between the Institute of Archaeology and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son province with the involvement of French and Australian experts for the excavation at Coc Muoi cave (or Bai Da cave); the collaboration with Novosibirsk Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography for the excavation at Con Moong cave and Mang Chieng cave and the discovery of Hang Diem cave; the collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dak Nong province for the second excavation at Thon Tam archeological site; and the collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province, the Australian National University, Sapporo Medical University (Japan) and Vietnam Association of History for the second excavation on Co Ngua islet. The outcomes and findings after the investigation have been a new source of documentation for the Stone Age archaeology.
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There were 48 papers related to archaeology of Iron Age, which included the reports of the excavation by Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hanoi at Vuon Chuoi archaeological site for the sixth time; the seventh excavation by Faculty of History, University of Social Sciences and Humanities in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Phuc province at Dong Dau; the eighth excavation by the Stream of Archaeology and Anthropological Museum in collaboration with Hanoi Museum and the Institute of Archaeology at Thanh Den relic; and the third excavation by the National History Museum in collaboration with the National Museum of Korea at Bai Coi (Ha Tinh province).
Among 289 papers of historical archaeology, a number of outstanding activities were reported as the exploratory archaeological excavation and investigation at Thang Long Royal Citadel by Thang Long-Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre in collaboration with the Institute of Archaeology; the excavation at Dam Pagoda site by the Institute of Archaeology in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province; the first excavation at Bao Ninh Sung Phuc Pagoda relic by the Institute of Archaeology in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tuyen Quang province. In addition, the Panel of Historical Archaeology also received 54 announcements for the discoveries in Hai Phong and Bac Ninh.
Concerning Champa and Oc Eo archaeology, there were 38 papers received. Some examples could be referred to as the excavation of Cam Mit Tower by the National History Museum and Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture; and the field surveys in Liem Thuan and Liem An (in Binh Thuan province), and of the Oc Eo architecture and residence in Dong Thap and Long An provinces by the National History Museum.
The archaeological activities in 2013 were busy and diversified across the country. The excavations, surveys, exploration, investigation as well as the discovery and research of relics and vestiges stuck closely with the research objectives. There were also in-depth research and activities for the building of the world heritage records of Con Moong and Trang An, as well as to serve the long-term conservation and promotion of the relics and heritages such as Kinh Thien Temple (in Hanoi), Dam Pagoda (in Bac Ninh), and Hoi Son (in Hochiminh City).
Following the opening session and the discussion of general issues, the Conference featured four panels of Stone Age Archaeology, Iron Age Archaeology, Historical Archaeology, and Champa and Oc Eo Archaeology.
Nguyen Thu Ha
