(VOVworld) -  Latest field excavations at Luy Lau ancient citadel in Thuan Thanh district, Bac Ninh province, have shown that the region was Vietnam’s largest and oldest centre of politics, economics, trade, culture, and religion. The conclusion was drawn from a preliminary report conducted by archaeologists from the National Museum of History, the Bac Ninh provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and Japan’s University of East Asia.

Artefacts are collected at Luy Lau ancient citadel. (Photo: National Museum of History)

In 2015, archaeologists collected a large number of architectural vestiges, such as bricks and tiles, and housewares, such as ceramic and cookers, dated between the 1^st century BC and the 14^th century AD. Notably they unearthed nearly one thousand broken pieces of moulds of Dong Son bronze drums of the 4^th century.

Archaeologists will broaden next excavations in a hope to map out the citadel.