Paper short abstract:

Information from the excavations and studies of Thang Long citadel have provided the chance to study the health and origin of Viet people which has great significance not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia.

Paper long abstract:

Excavations over the last 10 years at Thang Long citadel have provided information including archaeological relics, architectural structures, and hundreds of human skeletons dating to the 7th - 19th centuries. The burials are single, double or multiple interments representing 178 individuals (57 subadults and 121 adults). Both primary and secondary burials are present with grave goods including coins and pottery vessels. The Thang Long people suffered from a variety of conditions, for instance, enamel hypoplasia, periodontitis, caries and osteoarthritis. The highest mortality rate is among individuals aged 17-35 years. It is thought that these individuals represent the main labour force in the society and may have had to contend with economic hardship and the ravages of war during this period. The Thang Long people have Mongoloid cranial features such as a round skull, large upper facial index and shovel shaped incisors. They have a close affinity to the Dong Son people, and also closely resemble individuals from Indonesia and Lao in Southeast Asia.