The burial urns of Sa Huynh Culture, which dates from 1,000 BC.

The provincial museum of central Quang Ngai Province Wednesday inaugurated a permanent display chamber for the Sa Huynh Culture, which flourished mainly in Vietnam’s central region 2,000- 3,000 years ago.

Some of the items have been donated by museums in the neighboring provinces of Quang Nam and Binh Dinh and by private collector Lam Du Xenh, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.

Deputy head of the Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Dang Vu said the provincial People’s Committee is holding a seminar on Sa Huynh Culture until July 24. The organizers have received 57 reports including 15 from foreign experts, Vu said.

The Sa Huynh culture dates from 1,000 BC until the late second century. It was discovered and studied by French archeologists in 1909 at the Sa Huynh salt field in Quang Ngai Province’s Duc Pho District.

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

Along with the Dong Son Culture in the north and the Oc Eo Culture in the Mekong Delta, Sa Huynh is considered one of the most prominent ancient Vietnamese cultures of the Iron Age.

To date, 80 Sa Huynh relic sites have been excavated in the central region.

The National Museum of Vietnamese History in Hanoi is also holding an exhibition on Sa Huynh artifacts until July 30.

Reported by Hien Cu