The Socio-Cultural Space of Vườn Chuối Ancient Village: From Excavation to Heritage Promotion

Nguyen Tho Dinh

The Vườn Chuối archaeological site in Hoài Đức village, Hanoi, is an ancient village that developed continuously from around 3,500 years ago, spanning the Phùng Nguyên - Đồng Đậu- Gò Mun- Đông Sơn cultural periods. Through numerous excavations, archaeological evidence has reconstructed a well-organized socio-cultural space comprising residential, production, and burial areas. Key findings include a system of ramparts and moats protecting the residential area on the mound's summit, a workshop for crafting jade artifacts, and, most notably, the first-ever discovered traces of Đông Sơn Era dwellings. Over 280 tombs containing rich grave goods—such as bracelets, jade bead necklaces, bronze weapons, and pottery—have revealed complex burial customs and beliefs about the afterlife. These artifacts also indicate social stratification and the emergence of a class of skilled artisans. The ancient village's layout demonstrates clear functional zoning: the residential zone on high ground, production workshops on the periphery, and adjacent cemeteries. Compared to other contemporary sites, Vườn Chuối is a rare case where cultural layers are preserved almost entirely intact. It offers a comprehensive perspective on the process of village formation and the transition toward a complex, pre-state society in the Red River Delta. Given these exceptional values, experts have proposed a conservation and promotion strategy that involves developing an on-site archaeological park. This initiative aims to serve both academic research and community education, ensuring the site's legacy is preserved and shared.