Organizer: Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University
Type/Location: Hybrid / DeKalb, IL
Description:
Two thousand years ago, China’s Han Empire stretched its imperial grasp beyond the mountains far to the south of the Central Plains, reaching into the domains of “barbarians”. Along its southernmost periphery lay the Red River Valley (RRV) of present-day Vietnam. In their chronicles, the Han claimed that they “civilized” the RRV’s “barbarians”. In contrast, many Vietnamese believe this time and location represents the birthplace of an indigenous, Vietnamese civilization that predates Han arrival. This view has been traditionally based on colorful tales and legends. One of the most enduring accounts tells of the Au Lac Kingdom and its capital city, known as Co Loa. Thus, at the heart of ongoing, intense, and sometimes nationalistic debates are two contrasting views. One sees “civilization” as a byproduct of Han arrival, while the other sees it as the outcome of local, indigenous cultural traditions. This lecture presents new and ongoing archaeological research that addresses these themes and questions. Specifically, it highlights recent investigations at the Co Loa site, considered to be the first capital of ancient Vietnam.
About the Speaker:
Nam C. Kim is an anthropological archaeologist whose research interests center on sociopolitical complexity, early urban formations, factors driving significant cultural change, and the interplay between modern politics, cultural heritage, and the material record. His work particularly focuses on the cultural contexts and social consequences of organized violence and warfare, as evidenced across diverse cultural, spatial, and temporal settings. Much of his recent research has been geographically concentrated in East and Southeast Asia. Since 2005, he has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Vietnam at the Co Loa settlement in the Red River Delta. Co Loa, a heavily fortified site located near modern-day Hanoi, is purportedly linked to Vietnamese legendary narratives and is widely regarded as integral to the origins of Vietnamese civilization. Beyond its historical and national significance, Co Loa holds importance for archaeological theory as it represents one of the earliest examples of both state formation and urbanism in Southeast Asia.
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