A team of archaeologists has uncovered nine ancient kneeling skeletons at the Quỳnh Văn archaeological site in Quỳnh Lưu District, Nghệ An Province, Vietnam.
The discovery sheds new light on the Quỳnh Văn culture, a prehistoric coastal society that once thrived in this narrow stretch of land between low hills and the East Sea.
Skeletons found in bent-knee burials close together
The remains were found buried in a flexed position, with knees bent, a distinct practice associated with the ancient community.
Researchers reported that the skeletons were located approximately three meters underground and placed closely together, just 50 centimeters apart.
In some locations, up to three bodies had been buried in layers, separated by thin soil and surrounded by clusters of mollusk shells.
Jewelry made from shells suggests cultural beliefs
Some graves contained shell jewelry and ornaments made from sea snails, offering evidence of early craftsmanship and burial traditions.
Archaeologists say these findings suggest a belief system tied to life after death and the value of personal belongings in burial practices.
Tools, fire pits, and bones reveal ancient lifestyle
Over a month-long excavation, researchers examined two pits covering 18 square meters. Their work uncovered a wide range of tools and daily-use items, including stone axes, flakes, grinding stones, fire remains, and fragments of animal bones.
These items help paint a clearer picture of how people in the area once lived, hunted, and prepared food.
All artifacts and remains will undergo scientific testing to determine their age. The research team plans to use a method that measures how long it has been since the bones and tools were last exposed to carbon, which helps in dating ancient materials.
Results are expected shortly and will likely offer deeper insight into the timeline and development of the Quỳnh Văn culture.
Local and international teams continue excavation
The ongoing excavation is a joint effort led by the Nghệ An Museum and Vietnam National University in Hanoi and international experts from the Australian National University’s School of Archaeology and Anthropology.
Local officials confirmed that the site remains active, with continued support from the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Quỳnh Văn culture is linked to shell mounds and coastal living
The Quỳnh Văn culture is believed to date back between 3,500 and 5,500 years and is part of the later phase of the Neolithic period.
One of its most distinctive features is the presence of thick shell mound layers, some up to six meters deep, typically located within ten kilometers of the sea.
Historic discoveries date back to the early 20th century
Since the 1930s, the area where they found the ancient kneeling skeletons has been recognized as an important archaeological site. French archaeologist Madeleine Colani first identified ancient shell mounds in the Cầu Giát region.
Later, in 1963, Vietnamese archaeologist Phan Ngọc Liễn uncovered more tools in the Quỳnh Văn commune, prompting large-scale digs by the Vietnam Archaeology Institute. That excavation led to the discovery of five additional shell mound sites.
Dozens of sites mapped across the Quỳnh Lưu plains
Twenty-one Quỳnh Văn cultural sites have been identified in the region. These are spread across the eastern and western plains of Quỳnh Lưu, offering a rich field for studying Vietnam’s ancient coastal communities.
Many of the stone tools found are now preserved at the Nghệ An Museum, serving as valuable windows into a long-lost way of life.
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