Archaeological discovery in Trang An opens new direction for tourism development

Photo caption — Mr. Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee spoke at the conference.

The conference was attended by cultural and tourism managers, experts in history, archaeology and tourism at home and abroad.

In his opening speech, Mr. Tran Song Tung, Vice Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee, said that the organization of the international conference aims to affirm the commitment and efforts of Ninh Binh province in scientific research; introduce some outstanding results of the SUNDASIA Archaeological Research Program, especially new research results on prehistoric people determined to be nearly 13,000 years old, along with many scientific evidences on the morphology, genetics and life of post-Pleistocene residents at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.

In recent times, Ninh Binh has implemented many research programs to continue enriching the values of the Heritage. In particular, the results of exploration and excavation at Thung Binh 1 cave in Trang An Scenic Complex showed prehistoric human remains dating back over 12,000 years, along with data on chronology, stratigraphy, ancient flora and fauna and burial forms. These results affirm that Trang An is a "living museum" of natural evolution and human culture, providing rare scientific evidence to clarify the process of human habitation and adaptation to environmental change, while also supplementing valuable documents on anthropology, genetics and the presence of globally endangered animal species that once lived here.

These scientific discoveries not only have research value, but also open up new approaches in preserving and promoting the value of Heritage. This is also a vivid demonstration of the close and persistent cooperation between Ninh Binh province and domestic and international scientists, especially universities in the UK.

At the conference, experts in history and archaeology provided a panoramic picture of the formation and evolution of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, as well as the adaptation of indigenous people to changes in nature over tens of thousands of years; orientation for tourism development associated with Trang An in the coming period...

Dr. Ryan Rabett, Archaeologist, Queen's University of Belfast, UK, and colleagues introduced the SUNDASIA Research Project at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. The SUNDASIA Research Project is an international archaeological project focusing on Southeast Asia, in particular, has discovered important remains such as a nearly 13,000-year-old human skeleton in Thung Binh 1 Cave, part of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. This project also recovered the earliest mitochondrial DNA evidence in Vietnam, providing valuable scientific information on human history and biological relationships in the region.

The conference also heard Dr. Nguyen Viet, Director of the Southeast Asia Prehistory Center, introduce some orientations on interesting new types of experiences: "Living with prehistoric people in Trang An" experiential tourism, emphasizing the development of tourism products associated with the life, activities, and cuisine of prehistoric people...

Concluding the conference, Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc said that the conference results once again affirmed the value and special importance of scientific research; supplementing valuable knowledge about human history and the profound social life of ancient residents in Trang An. The scientific research results will be gradually and effectively applied to the conservation and promotion of Heritage values, building unique cultural and ecological tourism products, contributing to raising public awareness of conservation, while creating sustainable livelihoods for local people.

The Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee believes that scientific research work at Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex will continue to achieve many successes, contributing to the sustainable development of the province and the country.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/phat-hien-khao-co-hoc-tai-trang-an-mo-them-huong-phat-trien-du-lich-20250927143618407.htm