Archaeology of volcanic caves: A unique type of heritage in Vietnam (in the case of C6-1 Krong No cave)

Abstract

The paper introduces a type of landscape and sightseeing sites in the Central Highlands, which were formed as a result of the volcanic eruptions some tens of million years ago, including the volcanic caves in Đak Nong plateau. These caves preserve double values of heritage, which serve as both landscape and sightseeing sites and the best places for preserving the ancestors’ remains. While the prehistorical organic traces such as human and animal bones, and the nuts/seeds in the red soil area of the Central Highlands have been all destroyed, they are preserved almost intactly in the heart of the volcanic caves. The results of the excavations at the caves enable the archaeologists to sketch an overall picture of the cultural history of the prehistorical communities in the Central Highlands in a broader context. This also serves as a base for conservation, display and strengthening of the double heritage values of the vocanioc caves in the strategy for development of cultural tourism in the Central Highlands.