In what seems to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, an ancient road has been discovered in the Hoabinhian site of the Xom Trai Cave dating back to 8,000 – 9,000 years. Sadly, the story on VietNamNet doesn’t display any images of the road, but it indicates the presence of worn-out stones. Remains of an older nearby route, possibly related to the road find, dates even further back.

Ancient road found in cave
VietnamNet Bridge, 26 November 2008
Scientists from the Centre for Southeast Asian Prehistory recently made the discovery during an on-going preservation project at the site.
“This is the first discovery of such an ancient road in the Southeast Asian region and a rare discovery in the world,” Nguyen Viet, PhD, centre director told Viet Nam News.
The Xom Trai Cave represents a typical residence of the Hoa Binh civilisation (from 34,100 years ago until 2,000 BC) in the ancient Muong Vang region, which is today’s Tan Lap Commune, Lac Son District in Hoa Binh Province.
![This week in Southeast Asian Archaeology: Prambanan gets some renewed attention, Phimai Black pottery surfaces at Mun Bon Dam, and I’m taking a short break next week.⠀
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The featured stories look at the new Indonesia–India conservation project at Prambanan, focusing on the temple complex’s ruined perwara shrines, and a striking Late Prehistoric find in northeast Thailand: a remarkably complete Phimai Black vessel discovered as water levels fell at Mun Bon Dam.⠀
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Temples, pottery, reservoirs, and a little scheduled rest. Back again on 27 July.⠀
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Read this week’s newsletter: [link in bio]⠀
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#SoutheastAsianArchaeology #Archaeology #Heritage #Prambanan #Thailand #Indonesia #Cambodia #Vietnam #CulturalHeritage #Substack This week in Southeast Asian Archaeology: Prambanan gets some renewed attention, Phimai Black pottery surfaces at Mun Bon Dam, and I’m taking a short break next week.⠀
⠀
The featured stories look at the new Indonesia–India conservation project at Prambanan, focusing on the temple complex’s ruined perwara shrines, and a striking Late Prehistoric find in northeast Thailand: a remarkably complete Phimai Black vessel discovered as water levels fell at Mun Bon Dam.⠀
⠀
Temples, pottery, reservoirs, and a little scheduled rest. Back again on 27 July.⠀
⠀
Read this week’s newsletter: [link in bio]⠀
⠀
#SoutheastAsianArchaeology #Archaeology #Heritage #Prambanan #Thailand #Indonesia #Cambodia #Vietnam #CulturalHeritage #Substack](https://scontent-sin6-3.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/744214042_18361115071209510_2262608560893170251_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiRkVFRC5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=efvF5aVfY5EQ7kNvwHCwB5Y&_nc_oc=Adrhygfs4_3OVhjr2Rgbgpm8FmeWkE2yymjBA2vziLdP9JGysLT5sw8HvP0DyoT9ok0&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sin6-3.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=E2a971KxU5zWh5nw04VahQ&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQG3isXxBQ6X2iiWSZMjLP-e67HFOBtkU91-gQ-AKbsKRt5f8E-T4V3vusgBi5f3KhWHhujQj78B&oh=00_AQDe-6UC5alsUH9NnC76ElPMhHOuQqr5Md7rQWU22phWgQ&oe=6A65E271)















Exciting news, and maybe the first of many such discoveries.
Yes, it’s quite a remarkable find – makes you wonder if this was a one-off thing, or many other prehistoric sites typically had “roads” built there.