Thousands of beads found in Central Vietnam

A feature on the prehistoric jewelry Quang Nam province in Vietnam.

Thousand-year-old jewelry unearthed in central Vietnam
Viet Nam Net, 13 May 2015

Jewellery items made of stone and animal bones have been unveiled in ancient tombs thousands of years old in the central province of Quang Nam.

They are pieces of jewelry of ancient Vietnamese people of the Dong Son culture (seventh century BC to first century AD), Sa Huynh culture (tenth century BC – second century AD), and the Oc Eo culture (1st century – seventh century AD).

Glass is considered the most common ingredient in bead manufacturing techniques of the ancient people in Quang Nam. Excavations at important relics in Hoi An, Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen … have demonstrated that.

The ancient people also used agate, crystal, and nephrite to make necklaces.

These kinds of stone are very hard, so the processing techniques must be highly refined.

Scientists say the materials to make the jewelry may have been imported.

Full story here.