Sapa ancient carved rock field at risk
The Sapa ancient carved rock field, a cultural heritage that attracts many visitors to the mountainous northern province of Lao Cai, is at risk of being damaged by the time, weather and humans.
The 4 km by 2 km field includes more than 159 slabs of ancient stone located in Muong Hoa valley in Hau Tao and Ta Van communes. It was discovered in 1925 by V. Goloubew, a French scholar of Russian descent.
Among the patterns carved on the rocks are circles, parallel lines, squares, rectangles, humans and writings. The secrets of the stone field have been researched by scientists and historians who are now studying the meanings of the carvings and odd patterns on the rock.
The field has been compared to famous ancient stone fields such as Oraibi Arizone in the U.S, Ause vik in Norway, Alessur Anglin in France, Toromuerto in Peru, Twyfelo Fontein in Namibia, Helen Shan in China and Valiamonnica in Italy.
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