Continuing the journey to discover the prehistoric culture of the Central Highlands

VHO - On April 16, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dak Lak province announced that Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong signed and issued Decision No. 1067/QD-BVHTTDL, allowing the fourth archaeological excavation at Thac Hai site, located in village 6, Ia Jloi commune, Ea Sup district, Dak Lak province.

This decision marks the next step in efforts to research, preserve and promote the value of one of the typical prehistoric archaeological sites in the Central Highlands region.  

According to the decision, this archaeological excavation will take place from May 5 to June 26, with a total excavation area of ​​50 square meters, divided into two pits, each 25 square meters wide. The excavation host is the Dak Lak Provincial Museum.

The artifacts collected during the excavation process must be carefully preserved and protected to avoid damage and loss. After the end of the excavation process, Dak Lak Museum is responsible for reporting to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the excavation results, and at the same time proposing a plan to protect and promote the value of the archaeological site.

This is the fourth time the Thac Hai archaeological site has been officially allowed to be excavated since the first time in 2021.

Previous excavations in 2021, 2022 and 2024 have yielded impressive results, contributing to clarifying the prehistoric cultural picture in the Central Highlands border area, while affirming the important position of Thac Hai in the national archaeological relic system.

The Thac Hai archaeological site was first discovered in early 2020 during a scientific survey conducted by the Dak Lak Provincial Museum in collaboration with the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology. The site is located along the Thac Hai stream, in the Ea Sup area - a place that still retains many pristine features and is less affected by urbanization.

Since its first discovery, Thac Hai has been highly appreciated by researchers for its uniqueness and specificity. Unlike many simple residential sites, Thac Hai is a factory site - where prehistoric people once organized large-scale stone tool production.

In previous excavations, archaeologists have collected thousands of artifacts, notably hundreds of stone drills, which were exquisitely crafted, demonstrating a high level of technical skill and signs of division of labor in ancient society.

A special discovery at this site is traces of a primitive glass kiln and pieces of glass artifacts - something never seen before in similar sites in Vietnam.  

Previously, in January 2023, the Prime Minister signed a decision to recognize the “Thac Hai Stone Drill Collection” as a National Treasure. This is one of the important milestones, not only recognizing the special historical and cultural value of the collection but also making the Thac Hai site a highlight on the archaeological map of Vietnam.

Experts say that the stone drills at Thac Hai are not only valuable in terms of manufacturing techniques but also clearly reflect the working life, beliefs and social organization of prehistoric and early historical residents in the Central Highlands.

Rock drill discovered at Thac Hai site

The simultaneous appearance of stone tools and traces related to glass also raises many hypotheses about cultural and technical exchanges between ancient settlements.

Along with excavation work, the preservation and promotion of the value of Thac Hai relic site is also receiving special attention from Dak Lak provincial authorities.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is coordinating with researchers to develop a project to develop the site into an educational and archaeological tourism destination, to serve students and tourists who want to learn about the prehistoric history and culture of the Central Highlands.

In addition, Dak Lak Provincial Museum is also completing the thematic exhibition dossier on "Thac Hai Site and Excavation Journey", with the goal of widely introducing archaeological discoveries to the public at home and abroad.

According to the Dak Lak Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Thac Hai is not only an archaeological site but also a symbol of the journey to find the origin of the Central Highlands people. Through the next excavations, there will be more scientific evidence to clarify the life of ancient people, thereby contributing to arousing pride and awareness of protecting cultural heritage in the community.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/tiep-noi-hanh-trinh-kham-pha-nen-van-hoa-tien-su-tay-nguyen-128112.html