Hoa Binh Cave Sites (Lang Gom)
Hòa Bình Culture Type-Site · Lang Gom Rockshelter · Xom Trai Cave · Hang Lang Gom
Mesolithic Hoabinhian 12,000–7000 → Da But → Phung Nguyen 2000 BCE·Hoa Binh / Hoabinhian Mesolithic (Vietnam northern karst)·🇻🇳 Hoa Binh Province, Lac Son District, Lang Gom caves near Hoa Binh town on Ma River karst foothills 70 km south Hanoi, Vietnam
About
About Hoa Binh Cave Sites (Lang Gom)
Hoa Binh (Hòa Bình) culture type-site — karst rockshelter caves (12,000–2000 BCE, Mesolithic–Neolithic) 70 km south Hanoi on Ma River limestone karst, excavated 1927 Colani (ÉFEO) and 1970s–2000s Ha Van Tan. Hòa Bình culture defines Vietnamese Mesolithic (Hoabinhian): Lang Gom, Xom Trai, Hang Dan rockshelters with Sumatralith (pebble tool) core chopper, bone tools, gastropod pile (Cyclophorus) middens, and early plant management (pre-rice). Later Da But 4000 BCE pottery. 1940s Madeleine Colani defined Hoabinhian as Southeast Asia's Mesolithic with 20+ rockshelters. Associated with early cave painting and 2000 BCE Austro-Asiatic dispersal.
Why it mattersType-site of Hoabinhian Mesolithic — defines Southeast Asia's Mesolithic with Sumatralith pebble tools and snail middens
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hoabinhian plant management vs agriculture?
Theories
- 01Hoabinhian as Austro-Asiatic dispersal basis per Higham
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.12,000 BCE Mesolithic Hoabinhian rockshelter occupation
- Period
- Mesolithic Hoabinhian 12,000–7000 → Da But → Phung Nguyen 2000 BCE
- Culture
- Hoa Binh / Hoabinhian Mesolithic (Vietnam northern karst)
- Builders
- Hoabinhian foragers (Hoa Binh gatherers)
- Purpose
- Karst rockshelter base camp defining Vietnamese Mesolithic with Sumatralith tools and Cyclophorus midden
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.12,000 BCE
Lang Gom rockshelter forager occupation begins
c.7000 BCE
Classic Hoabinhian pebble tools and Cyclophorus middens
1927
Colani defines Hòa Bình culture; 1970s Tan excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
20.6800° N · 105.3400° E · 120 m · 2 mapped features
Lang Gom Main Rockshelter with Sumatralith Floor
rockshelter20×15 m shelter with Sumatralith tool floor and snail midden north
20.6810° N · 105.3392° EXom Trai Adjacent Rockshelter and Midden
rockshelterAdjacent 15×10 m shelter with 2-m Cyclophorus pile and bone tools south
20.6785° N · 105.3411° E