The Relationship between Dong Son Bronze Jars and Its Counterparts in South China

Tóm tắt

   The Dong Son bronze jar (Đông Sơn bronze Thạp) is one of outstanding products that provide a clear illustration of material aspects of Dong Son culture. By now, bronze jars have been discovered mainly in vestiges and graves of Dong Son culture in North Vietnam. In addition, some bronze jars have been found in South China.

Until now, over 280 bronze jars have been found and it is acknowledged that owners of the bronze jars are the very people of Dong Son culture. In terms of date, Dong Son bronze jars date from a little earlier than the bronze jars found in South China.

In South China, 19 bronze jars have been found in Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan. It is possible to affirm that local people in South China had no tradition of casting and using the Dong Son-style bronze jars. This big difference is a very important evidence to demonstrate that Dong Son culture originated and developed with its particular identities in Northern Vietnam.

Discovery of Dong Son bronze jars in Yunnan, Guangdong and Guangxi shows popular exchange between people of Dong Son culture and people in South China at the middle time of the Zhanguo Period and the Western Han (from the 4^th to the 2^nd centuries BC).