Prehistoric caves discovered in Tuyen Quang province

ABO/VNA – Archaeologists have discovered cultural traces of prehistoric people in limestone caves in Chiem Hoa district of the northern province of Tuyen Quang, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Nang Chung of the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology.

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Chung, who was also head of an archaeological delegation to Tuyen Quang in July, said the evidence was found in Pu Chua cave in Minh Quang commune, and Ngan and Khi caves in Phuc Son commune.

The relics are located on low limestone mountains and close to rivers or streams. Pu Chua cave is on the southeast side of a large mountain, 50m above the foot of the mountain.

The cave’s surface is over 100sq.m wide and is a favourable location for human habitation.

Archaeologists also discovered a collection of artefacts near the cave’s entrance, including stone axes and ceramics.

Pu Chua cave is said to be one of the living grounds prehistoric people from the New Stone Age, which dates back to around 4,000 years ago. This is the first time that traces of people in the era have been discovered in Chiem Hoa district.

Experts also found dozens of ancient tools on the surface of archaeological sites in Ngan and Khi caves. The artefacts inside showed that the caves could have been home to inhabitants in the Stone Age – even earlier than Pu Chua cave.

With newly-discovered evidence, Chiem Hoa district is believed to hold huge potential for future archaeological surveys. Relevant agencies are planning an excavation in Pu Chua cave and a survey in Chiem Hoa’s limestone district in the coming time.

(Source: VNA)