via Vietnam Net, 15 July 2024: The 400-year-old Muong tombs at Dong Thech in Hoa Binh, Vietnam, offer insights into ancient Muong society and the aristocratic Dinh clan. Discovered in 1984, the site features stone pillars, Han inscriptions, and numerous artifacts. Recognized as a national historical site, the tombs reveal the historical and cultural significance of the Muong people during the Le Dynasty.
Recognized as a national historical site, the Muong Dong Thech tombs are located at the head of a valley in Chieng Hamlet, Vinh Dong Commune, Kim Boi District, Hoa Binh Province, and date back to the 17th century.
The tomb complex resembles a stone forest, with the largest pillars measuring over 1 meter in width and about 4 meters in height. The inscriptions on the stones have faded over time, adding to the enigmatic aura of these ancient graves.
Before 1975, the Dong Thech ancient tombs remained intact, surrounded by thousands of large and small stone pillars densely planted around the graves, creating a “stone forest.” The large stones on many of the tombs were inscribed in Han characters, detailing the birth and death dates, titles of the deceased, and the years the tombs were erected.
Source: 400-year-old Muong tombs: A glimpse into Vietnam’s aristocratic past
