The presence of grinding stones, pestles, remnants of fire pits, animal teeth, and unmineralized shells… are remnants of food left by prehistoric humans approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years ago.
On the afternoon of August 27, Associate Professor Dr. Trình Năng Chung from the Vietnam Archaeological Association announced that a survey team he leads, in collaboration with the Bắc Kạn Provincial Museum, has recently discovered traces of prehistoric humans at four sites within more than 20 caves in the Quảng Khê and Đồng Phúc communes of Ba Bể District, Bắc Kạn Province, after one month of fieldwork.
At Kẹm Liềm Cave in Chợ Lèng village, Quảng Khê commune, which spans 280 m2 and is located approximately 80 meters above the Tà Lẻng stream at the foot of the mountain, the survey team excavated a 3 m2 pit in the middle of the cave, 1.5 meters from the eastern wall. The results revealed a cultural layer 0.7 meters thick lying directly on the bedrock. A total of 154 artifacts were recovered from the surface, and 49 stone artifacts were found in the excavation pit.
Stone tools in Kẹm Liềm Cave.
The survey results indicate that the cave floor has been disturbed due to modern human activities. The cave surface contains numerous stones and mineral deposits that have fallen from the ceiling as a result of minor, localized seismic activity in the past. Stone artifacts from prehistoric inhabitants were found scattered across many areas of the cave surface.
The cultural layer consists of dark yellow clay containing artifacts such as chipped stone tools, mixed with animal teeth and unmineralized river shell remnants. Evidence of fire pits was discovered in the excavation pit, but no burial remains were found. The animal teeth and unmineralized shells are remnants of food left behind by prehistoric humans in their living space.
Animal bones and food remains in Kẹm Liềm Cave.
The stone artifacts collected from the surface and the excavation pit show similarities in form and crafting techniques. All the stone tools were made from river pebbles using simple flaking techniques. The predominant tool types include crude chopping tools, hand axes, flakes, grinding stones, pestles, and one axe fragment with notches for binding. The presence of grinding stones and pestles provides evidence of food processing methods used by prehistoric hunter-gatherers in this area.
Based on a comprehensive study of the artifacts and the stratigraphic structure of the cultural deposits, the survey team preliminarily assesses Kẹm Liềm Cave as a prehistoric habitation site dating back to the early Neolithic period, approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years ago.
Animal bones, food remnants in Kẹm Liềm Cave.
In Quảng Khê commune, the team discovered the Khuổi Duồng cave site in a limestone massif located in Nà Chom village. This cave is about 60 meters above the foot of the mountain, covering an area of approximately 30 m2 and divided into two equal-sized compartments.
Through the survey, 26 chipped stone tools were discovered across the surface. In the eastern niche of the cave, 14 pieces of coarse pottery with incised and cord-marked patterns were found. Local residents provided the survey team with a quadrangular polished stone axe discovered right at the foot of the mountain. This could be an artifact left by prehistoric people at Khuổi Dùn Cave during their labor activities.
In Đồng Phúc commune, on the Phja Pục mountain range in Lùng Minh village, the survey team found two archaeological sites within caves: Đán Đeng 1 and Đán Đeng 2. In Đán Đeng 1, the team discovered 44 chipped stone tools along with many unmineralized river shells and animal bones. In Đán Đeng 2, 10 chipped stone tools and some river shells were found. The stone collection from Đán Đeng 1 and Đán Đeng 2 shows similarities to the collection from Kẹm Liềm Cave in terms of type and crafting techniques.
The archaeological survey team concludes that the inhabitants of the two sites, Đán Đeng 1 and Đán Đeng 2, existed contemporaneously with those at Kẹm Liềm Cave. These are groups of inhabitants from the early Neolithic period dating back approximately 7,000 to 8,000 years ago.
Associate Professor Dr. Trình Năng Chung evaluated the findings as having significant historical, cultural, and scientific value, contributing to a richer understanding of prehistoric culture in Bắc Kạn specifically and in Vietnam generally. Due to its proximity to Ba Bể National Park, the archaeological sites need to be preserved and promoted as potential economic tourism resources in the local economic development plan.
Currently, specialized agencies have plans for further, more comprehensive research on the aforementioned sites, including excavations at Kẹm Liềm Cave in the near future.
