Rach Nui: Ground stone technology in coastal Neolithic settlements of southern Vietnam
Date
2017
Authors
Frieman, Catherine
Piper, Philip
Nguyen, Khanh Trung Kien
Tran, Thi Kim Quy
Oxenham, Marc
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Antiquity Publications
Abstract
The discovery of a small portable grinding stone at Rach Nui in southern Vietnam provides significant new insights into regional Neolithic trade networks and ground stone technologies. Previous research held that the manufacture of stone tools took place near stone sources in the interior, along the Dong Nai and Be River basins, but the Rach Nui grinding stone comes from a Neolithic site in the Mekong Delta, approximately 80km to the south-east. This suggests that some manufacturing occurred away from raw material sources. Technological analysis indicates that the artefact was a portable tool for the polishing, maintenance and repair of ground stone adzes. Its discovery at Rach Nui may indicate the presence of specialist tool makers or itinerant traders. This research illustrates the complexity of Neolithic trading networks, and highlights the technological expertise that circulated alongside finished and incomplete objects
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Antiquity
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Journal article
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DOI
10.15184/aqy.2017.71
Restricted until
2037-12-31