Explore Dak Nong's C6-1 Cave - A unique heritage in Southeast Asia

Cave C6-1 is not only a geological heritage, but it is here that scientists have discovered and excavated prehistoric human remains with many layers of culture from 6,000-7,000 years ago.

Cave C6-1 is not only a geological heritage, but it is here that scientists have discovered and excavated prehistoric human remains with many layers of culture from 6,000-7,000 years ago.

A delegation of UNESCO geopark experts visited a number of spots in the Dak Nong volcanic cave system. (Photo: Broadcast by VNA).

In the volcanic cave system, Dak Nong Global Geopark, C6.1 cave (often called Mang ling Pian cave by M'nong people) located in Dak Sor commune, Krong No, is considered a unique heritage. unique in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Cave C6.1 is not only a geological heritage but also a valuable archaeological site. Here, scientists discovered and excavated prehistoric human remains with many cultural layers dating back 6,000-7,000 years.

The cave was explored in 2017 and excavated twice in 2018 and 2019.

Through excavations at Caves C6-1 and C6, archaeologists have discovered many stone artifacts with working tools and pottery, bones and mollusk shells. Scientists also discovered traces of a stove, 3 burial relics, and traces of 10 individuals, of which 5 individuals were infants, 1 individual was a teenager, and 4 individuals were adults.

In particular and most importantly, archaeologists discovered a skeleton and skull of a girl about 4 years old, buried in a sitting position.

According to scientists, the archaeological heritage of Krong No volcanic caves - which still preserves cultural traces, burials and living activities of prehistoric tribes - is a unique heritage in Vietnam. and Southeast Asia.

The first discovery of prehistoric human remains in volcanic caves is a landmark discovery in Vietnamese paleoanthropology. This is a great achievement of Vietnamese scientists.

Regarding relics, 76,425 pieces of animal bones and tens of thousands of mollusc shells were recovered; thousands of pieces of scrap, raw stone and 179 stone tools, notably a group of Hoa Binh culture-style tools such as oval axes, short axes, disc-shaped axes, and iron-shaped tools; There are also 1,276 pieces of pottery and 1 bronze arrow.

Based on the structure of the cultural layer, the 14C dating system and the combination of relics, it can be seen that Cave C6-1 includes 2 cultural phases: the early phase existed from 7,000 to 5,500 years BP; The late phase dates from 5,500 years to about 4,000 years BP.

The research results on Cave C6-1 have brought new insights, which is the first time Vietnamese and Southeast Asian archaeologists have known about a type of volcanic cave archaeological site.

In the course of history, in the Central Highlands there actually existed a period of the middle Neolithic period after Hoa Binh. The residents here still preserve Hoa Binh cultural elements, but new elements have appeared due to the adaptation of prehistoric residents to the volcanically active environment in the Central Highlands.

With geological and archaeological values, in March 2023, C6-1 Cave National Monument, belonging to Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, was recognized as a Heritage Site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. National Monument.

The ceremony to receive the Certificate of Ranking as National Monument of Cave C6-1, belonging to the UNESCO Dak Nong Global Geopark was held on the evening of June 27, at the Dray Sap Waterfall Tourist Cluster - Gia Long, Dak Sor commune, district Krong No.

Speaking at the reception ceremony, Ms. Ton Thi Ngoc Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Dak Nong province, emphasized that this event is a meaningful milestone in the journey of preserving and promoting the value of the monument; honoring the typical historical and cultural values ​​of Cave C6-1 Relic.

Regarding the re-evaluation of Dak Nong Global Geopark, from June 27-30, the UNESCO Global Geopark Network expert delegation and leaders of Dak Nong province and relevant functional sectors organized organized a survey and appraisal of 44 heritage sites on 3 tourist routes in the province. During the re-evaluation process, the Expert Team will collect documents and experience many diverse activities. Thereby, experts provide comments and recommendations to contribute to the development of Dak Nong Global Geopark./.

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Update day : 29/06/2023