Myanmar has long history in parallel with cultural evolution. Excavation of evidence on ancient eras and conducting research on the evidence for preservation of ancient cultural heritage are being done in all parts of the country.
In trying to find out farm evidence of ancient time from thousands of years ago, research works have been still underway.
In doing so, our Myanmar International TV crew together with officials and staff of Ministry of Culture went to Kyo Gone village in Pyaw Bwe Township of Yamethin District in Mandalay Region to document the evidence of Iron Age.
When we reach there, we have seen the experts from National Center for Scientific Research of French and officials and staff from archaeology, National Museum and Library Department, Mandalay Branch with jointly conducting research on evidence of Iron Age. Based on Kyo Gone village archaeologist chief of national center for scientific research led by Dr. Jean Pierre Pautreau together with archaeologists from Ministry of Culture has been carrying out shaping pieces of findings of Iron Age and putting them record systematically.
Myanmar-French joint research team stationed at Kyo Gone village in Pyawbwe Township has been conducting research on evidence of Iron Age with the assistance of community elders and locals starting from 4th of November 2011.
Our TV crew together with officials from Ministry of Culture and locals went to the excavation site, one mile from Kyo Gone village on foot.
The excavation site where research conducted on evidence of iron age is situated at field N0-92 one mile south of Kyo Gone village at north Latitude 20 degree 68 minutes and east latitude 96 degree 5 minutes according to GPS location.
The Ministry of Culture has been carrying out the preservation of ancient cultural heritage. In doing so, a team from the Ministry together with the archaeologists from the national centre for scientific research of French has been conducting research of work on Bronze age and Iron age in Kyo Gone village in Pyaw Bwe Township of Yemethin District in Mandalay Region since 4th of November 2011 and they found the evidences of Iron age. Now, our MI crew is in Kyo Gone village for news coverage of the evidences of Iron age.
Myanmar-French joint research team excavated 15 meter long and 5 meter wide of land in the farm of U Aung Myaing at field No-92 for conducting research.
In this excavation, they found 35 human skeletons in which 4 are nearly complete and the rest skeletons are damaged. Together with the skeletons, colourful beads, one iron weapon, packs of bronze pieces and earthen objects were found.
One of the fundamental objectives of archaeology is to connect missing link between prehistoric and historic period after finding evidences of prehistoric period.
Accordingly, Myanmar-French research team is making effort in conducting research and putting record on evidence of Iron Age based on records and clues of preliminary survey in order to firmly witness that the evidence were from ancient periods.
With a view to discovering disappeared Bronze age and Iron age civilization, finding out firm evidence to connect missing link of Myanmar history through research, studying the excavation site in Kyo Gone village compared with other excavated sites and preparing to exhibit the findings of Kyo Gone village in new National Museum of Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar-French Joint Research team is carrying out excavation work in Kyo Gone village.
This research work in Kyo Gone village can record the evidences of Iron age and it can contribute to the effort to find the culture evidences of Bronze age and Iron age.
U Aung Aung Kyaw
Assistant Director
Q: Could you please explain about the current research being conducted?
A: A team of Archaeology, National Museum and Library Department and archaeologists from National Center for Scientific Research of France are conducting research on Bronze age and iron age in Samon Valley Region in Mandalay Region of Central Myanmar.
Q: When was Iron Age civilization started?
A: We found a community of Iron Age of Myanmar dated back from 2000 to 2500 years ago.
Q: According to you, it would be the time when the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in India. Did you find any religious evidence in these findings?
A: We haven't found any religious evidence yet. But, all remains were buried heading to the eastward and personal items were buried together with them. So, we studied that they had a belief on next existence which is basic of religion.
Q: Thank you for explain in detail.
A: Welcome.
U Tun Tun
Kyo Gone Village
Q: Evidence of Bronze Age and Iron Age was found in this village. Have you ever find the evidence like this before?
A: Yes, beads and pots were found in farm land of our ancestors since 10 years age. At that time, we really didn't know about the beads. As they were shingling with rain water, out parents poked them with sticks and made them as tops for us to play.
Q: How do you feel when the evidence of Iron Age was excavated in this village?
A: I'm very happy. On behalf of the village, I think Ministry of Culture for conducting research in this region and it is very thankful for founding the evidence of the history here.
On Kyo Gone excavation site, Myanmar-French combined research team has found 46 buried items. Among them, there were 35 human remains buried heading towards the eastward and 3 remains buried in wooden coffins. The significant findings of the excavation are the 3 remains buried in coffins.
According to the records of excavations, it was first time to find the human remains worn necklace and buried in wooden coffins. Together with the remains, the research team found 114 various items including earthen pots.
The research team was taking systematic measurement of the skeletons and other findings and putting records. The research on Bronze Age and iron age has been launched in Nyaung Kan area in Butalin township of Monywa District in Sagaing Region on 1998. And excavations have been carried out in Samon valley region between Mandalay and Pyaw Bwe.
