An Son (archaeological site)

An Son is a mounded archaeological site located in the An Ninh Tay commune of the Đức Hòa district along the Vam Co Dong River in Long An province, Southern Vietnam.

Furthermore, the burials found from excavations at An Son have gathered evidence of ritual ceremonies, an indication of the belief system of this area.

[2] The primary focus of the excavation was to more precisely identify the chronology of the site using material remains found within four cultural layers within pit 1.

Specifically, animal bones and plant remains provide evidence for the subsistence economy that existed during the period of occupation.

In the 1997 excavation, Nishimura Masanari and Nguyen Kim Dung found pottery that had different decorations, indicating development of new techniques and tools resulting in more intricate designs over a period of time.

Due to the proximity of An Son to other sites, research provided insight into relations and interactions with other regions, helping understand certain behaviors or cultural styles that civilizations exchanged.

From material culture, archaeologists have been able to determine a correspondence between An Son and two other early Neolithic sites, Bau Too and Nong Nor.

Widespread Neolithic culture in Southern Vietnam led to innovation across civilizations shortly after settlement at sites.

Excavations that have resulted in proof of agricultural sites have been used to determine the timing and dates of the introduction of domesticating animals in other areas in Vietnam.

Excavations occurred over the course of a decade that increased knowledge of the people of An Son, while also permitting comparison of its Neolithic culture to other regions and the timeline of other civilizations.

[3] In addition, An Son exemplifies the rapid adaptation and local innovation of Neolithic culture in Southern Vietnam.

The introduction of Neolithic type ceramics, advanced rice cultivation, and the domestication of animals were all found very early in the layers of the site.

While this site was only occupied for a short period of time, the material culture[6] demonstrates both a strong tie to other regions as well as indigenous identity.