Antiques from the pre-Sa Huynh culture have been unearthed at a mountainous site in the central province of Quang Ngai.

Various antiques of pre-Sa Huynh culture have been unearthed in a mountainous site in central province of Quang Ngai. (Photo: VNS)

Researcher Doan Ngoc Khoi, from Quang Ngai Museum, said 10 tombs containing objects from 3,000 years ago had been found at an archaeological site in the bed of Nuoc Trong Lake, in the Tay Tra District.

The antiques were similar to those of the pre-Sa Huynh culture period, which helped confirmed that such a culture flourished even in mountainous areas.

Previously, antiques of that time had been found only on the plains and in coastal areas.

Archaeologist Nguyen The Phong noted the objects bore unique decorative fine patterns, which were similar to objects found at another site in Pho Thanh Commune, Duc Pho District, in the same province. Yet they were somewhat different with distinctive features of the locality.

Scientists worked at the site for two months before finding the objects.

Sa Huynh culture flourished in central and southern Viet Nam between 1,000BC until the late second century. It is one of the three ancient cradles of civilization in Viet Nam.

The Sa Huynh people are thought to be predecessors of the Cham, the founders of the Champa Kingdom that flourished in the country from 132 AD until the 18th century.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News