HA NOI (VNS) — Archaeologists have discovered prehistoric sites dating back 20,000 years in Bao Thang District of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.

The announcement of the discovery was made on August 20 by Associate Professor Dr Trinh Nang Chung from the Viet Nam Institute of Archaeology.

The sites are located in Khu Den and Ngoi Bat in Gia Phu Commune, Soi Gia in Xuan Quang Commune, and Ngoi Nhu in Son Ha Commune.

In areas covering some 20,000 square metres, hundreds of stone artifacts belonging to several prehistoric eras have been unearthed.

The oldest items are working tools made of stones found in rivers and springs and dating back 20,000 years.

They also include stone axes and disk-shaped tools dating to the Hoa Binh culture in the New Stone Age, about 8,000 to 9,000 years ago. Four thousand year-old polished axes were also found.

According to Chung, Ngoi Nhu was an uninterrupted residence for prehistoric people in Lao Cai, and perhaps a large metal centre in the time of Hung Kings (2879 to 258BC).

The excavation is still underway. — VNS