Excavation Reveals Early Neolithic Site
On April 26th, the Dak Nong Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Museum of History jointly held a press conference to present the preliminary findings of the archaeological excavation at Site 8 in Dak Wil commune, Cu Jut district.
The excavation, led by Mr. Nguyen Manh Thang, Head of the National Museum of History's Research and Collections Department, took place from April 16th to 26th.
Site 8: A Rich Archaeological Tapestry
Site 8, located in villages 7 and 8 of Dak Wil commune, has been the subject of scientific research and excavation since 2005. The current excavation involved a single excavation pit at a mound of earth and rock near the Suong Mu lagoon, straddling villages 7 and 8.
The excavation pit, covering an area of 20 square meters and situated at an altitude of 347 meters above sea level, had a depth ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters. It was divided into two layers: a surface layer and a lower layer.
A Wealth of Stone Tools and Ceramics
A preliminary inventory revealed a total of 939 stone artifacts, including hammerstones, anvils, grinding stones, broken stones, and ax preforms. Additionally, there were 150 ceramic and bone fragments with a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 centimeters.
Based on the artifacts discovered, researchers estimate that Site 8 dates back to the Late Neolithic period, approximately 4,500 years ago or possibly even earlier.
Enriching the Heritage and Research Potential
The excavation has contributed to the potential heritage and research resources of the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. It has also provided insights into the history and culture of the region and will aid in the conservation, exploitation, and promotion of archaeological heritage as part of the overall economic and social development strategy for the Geopark and Dak Nong province.
Additional Discoveries in the Vicinity
In addition to Site 8, researchers have conducted surveys and discovered artifacts in nearby areas, such as Village 7, May Waterfall, and May Hill.