Nishimura Masanari during a field trip in Vietnam (Photo: Institue of Archaelogy) Hanoi (VNA) - The family of late Japanese archaeologist NishimuraMasanari, an expert on Vietnamese archaeology, has donated his entire library –in all, 7,000 items – to the National University of Hanoi.
This includes books, maps and magazines on the Stone Age, early agriculture,Vietnamese Dong Son culture during the Bronze Age, and Southeast Asian ceramichistory. His collection includes a large volume of study materials in history,culture and anthropology of Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.
Masanari spent more than 20 years working in Vietnam with his wife, Dr NorikoNishino, who is also an archaeologist. He was among one of the few foreignexperts on Vietnam’s archaeology. He also trained many young Vietnamesearchaeologists.
His archaeological work in Vietnam includes a major discovery in 1998 of amould used to make bronze drums 2,000 years ago in Luy Lau, in the northernprovince of Bac Ninh. The only one of its kind to have been unearthed in thecountry, it was definite proof that Vietnam was one of the sources for ancientdrums.
The Japanese couple supported the rural community in Duong Xa, Bac Ninh, tohelp them build the village’s first community museum (also the country’sfirst), where its extensive ceramic history is displayed.
Masanari died in a traffic accident in 2013. He was honoured with a FriendshipMedal by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences for his contribution toarchaeology in Vietnam, and his love for the country and its people.-VNA
VNA
