Vietnamese archaeologists report the discovery of stone tools in Ha Giang province – but more notably, painted rock art! I believe this might be the first instance of painted rock art reported in Vietnam.
Ancient farm tools help dig up the past [Link no longer active]
Viet Nam News, 11 Sep 2012
Archaeologists recently found something unique in the northeastern province of Ha Giang: a set of five stone hoes dating back to 4,000 years ago.
The set was first unearthed accidentally by family members of Nguyen Van Hoi in Yen Minh Town when they were preparing to build a house. The stone hoes were carved in quadrangle form and polished smoothly. The hoes were found displayed next to one another with traces of burnt coal nearby.
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In the same expedition, the scientists examined drawings in Kho My Cave in Tung Van Commune of Quan Ba District. The paintings depict human figures with two horns on each head dancing with their arms open. They were found on the cave wall 30m from the cave gate, within the reach of a normal adult.
Chung said the sketches were made with powder from local dark red stones mixed with resin and water. Yet the date of the paintings was still being researched, he said.
