Introducing new collections on Dong Son culture

The thematic exhibition "Echoes of Dong Son" is taking place at the National Museum of History on the occasion of Vietnam Cultural Heritage (November 23, 2023) and towards the 100th anniversary of the discovery and research of Dong Son culture (1924-2024).

The special exhibition "Echoes of Dong Son" introduces to the public nearly 90 artifacts of the Dong Son culture that have been collected by the National Museum of History in recent years.

Giới thiệu những sưu tầm mới về nền văn hóa Đông Sơn

The exhibition is presented through 3 themes: New collection of Dong Son culture; Dong Son drum molds discovered underground in Luy Lau; Experimental bronze drum casting. (Source: National Museum of History)

These are artifacts with rich, unique forms, and high aesthetic value such as: labor tools, household utensils, weapons, musical instruments, jewelry... made from many materials such as bronze, iron, ceramic, glass, wood, stone with extremely sophisticated techniques, reflecting the working life, production as well as the concept of the world and human life of ancient Vietnamese residents from more than 2000 years ago.

The exhibition also introduces a number of typical and unique artifacts collected and excavated by archaeologists, including the new discovery of bronze drum molds in Luy Lau ( Bac Ninh ).

This is the most profound and vivid proof of the indigenous nature and origin of Dong Son bronze drums as well as the strong vitality of Dong Son culture in the face of the ups and downs and changes of history.

Bronze drum mold pieces found at Luy Lau and photos illustrating their respective locations. (Source: National Museum of History)

Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the National History Museum, said that although the Dong Son archaeological site was officially discovered in 1924, since 1903, many relics, most notably the Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum, had been brought to the Louis Finot Museum (the predecessor of today's National History Museum).

The bronze drum was built based on research on drum mold fragments excavated in Luy Lau, Bac Ninh. (Source: National Museum of History)

Since then, the collection of Dong Son cultural artifacts at the Museum has been increasingly supplemented and is the most complete collection, having been exhibited many times at home and abroad.

Experience printing patterns on bronze drums. (Source: National Museum of History)

On this occasion, the Museum also held a ceremony to receive artifacts donated by collector, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, including 51 artifacts of Dong Son culture.

The exhibition is open to visitors until April 2024.

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