Unique ancient metallurgy in Dong Nai

Not only is it a region with strong industrial development, Dong Nai also possesses a unique treasure trove of cultural heritage. Among them, the ancient metallurgy profession has left many imprints on the skill, technique, and creative spirit of the Dong Nai community.

People and visitors visit the Ancient Metallurgy Exhibition in Dong Nai and learn about the national treasure Long Giao Pangolin Bronze Statue.

Introducing the artifacts at the Ancient Metallurgy Exhibition at the Dong Nai Museum helps people and visitors, especially the younger generation, access the culture of ancient Dong Nai residents, forming an awareness of preserving and promoting heritage values.

The essence of the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai region

The land of Dong Nai has witnessed the strong development of metallurgy for thousands of years. Archaeological sites found at Long Giao, Suoi Chon, Cai Van... have shown that this land was once a large-scale and high-tech metallurgical center, with many tools and utensils cast from exquisite bronze. Not only using casting techniques to craft tools such as axes, spears, javelins, arrows, rattles, fishing hooks..., but ancient residents also created exquisite works of art.

The Ancient Metallurgy Exhibition in Dong Nai takes place from April 11 to May 30 at the Dong Nai Museum and is open free of charge, serving the needs of visiting and learning about the history and culture of people from all walks of life inside and outside the province.

In the work Ancient Metallurgy in Dong Nai by authors Nguyen Giang Hai - Huynh Van Toi published by Dong Nai Publishing House, it is stated that the Dong Nai space of metallurgy and ancient bronze is identified as a large cultural area belonging to the Dong Nai river basin system, corresponding to the area of the current provinces and cities in the Southeast. The increasing discovery of archaeological sites and artifacts directly related to metallurgy in Dong Nai has confirmed the existence of a bronze metallurgy industry in the Dong Nai river basin in the 2nd-1st millennium BC.

Two of the most typical proofs are the Long Giao Pangolin Bronze Statue discovered at the same location as the Long Giao Bronze Dagger collection, which are considered the most typical relics among the prehistoric - early historic relics in the Dong Nai river basin. Among them, the Long Giao Pangolin Bronze Statue is an original, unique artifact, unique in form and size, as well as in its skillful bronze casting technique. It not only has historical, cultural, and artistic value, showing the imprint of a metallurgical and bronze casting center in the Dong Nai region during the Bronze Age - Early Iron Age, but is also a unique phenomenon in the early state period in the Southeast.

Besides the remaining heritage such as the Long Giao Pangolin Bronze Statue, Long Giao Bronze Dagger, many images displayed in the Ancient Metallurgy Exhibition in Dong Nai have introduced the crafting process, metallurgical techniques, and bronze casting. Many artifacts for forging weapons such as bellows, stoves, pliers, anvils, hammers; or collections of jewelry craftsmanship, cast iron casting such as electronic scales, gold melting pots, trowels for making molds, plowshare molds..., including the collection of jewelry tools of Mr. Nguyen Van Cau, former Chairman of the Dong Nai Jewelers Association. The artifacts are organized into experiential spaces, contributing to bringing the old craft in harmony with the present.

Dong Nai currently has 4 artifacts and groups of artifacts recognized by the Prime Minister as national treasures, including: the Long Giao Bronze Dagger collection (15 specimens), the Long Giao Pangolin Bronze Statue, the Binh Hoa Vishnu Statue, and the Binh Da Stone Musical Instrument collection. This is an invaluable cultural asset and a source of pride and honor for the Bien Hoa - Dong Nai region.

Promoting the culture of ancient Dong Nai residents

Participating in the Ancient Metallurgy Exhibition in Dong Nai, the Vice Chairman of the Bien Hoa Artifacts and Antiques Club (CLB), Nguyen Mong Diep, shared that the club has introduced many valuable bronze casting products, collected and preserved through many different historical periods. These artifacts not only demonstrate the technical skills of ancient artisans but also reflect the cultural flow,society of the land of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai in particular, and the Southern region in general.

"Bringing ancient artifacts to the museum for display and public service not only helps people understand and love their homeland's heritage more, but also serves as an important bridge to promote and educate about local culture and history. Through the exhibition, the Club hopes to call on the community to join hands in preserving the traditional metallurgy craft - which is an indispensable part of the cultural flow of Dong Nai," said Mr. Diep.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Museum, the organization of the Exhibition on Ancient Metallurgy in Dong Nai aims to propagate and promote to people inside and outside the province the cultural achievements of the ancient inhabitants of Dong Nai, among which "a flow of bronze casting, an ancient metallurgy craft" once existed. Through national treasures and related images, viewers can have a vivid, comprehensive, and intuitive view of the cultural heritage values belonging to Dong Nai culture in general and the national cultural values of the land of Bien Hoa - Dong Nai in particular.

Reported by Ly Na