The discovery of Oc Eo - Ba The port-town site (Thoai Son, An Giang) by the archaeologist Louis Malleret in 1944 confirmed the existence of Funan ancient kingdom (1 - 7 centuries) that had been recorded in historical data and ancient stele insciptions; Many more settlement sites, temples/towers, burials and thousands of ancient artifacts made from various materials such as stone, metals, pottery, etc., have been founf in the archaeological fiedworks and excavations from Kien Giang provine to the highland in the central part of Dong Nai rives since 1975.
The found sites demonstrate that Funan was a kingdom with a brilliant civilization, which possessed an important trade port and served as an international gateway for trade and cultural exchange between the East and the West in ancient times. In this area, many handicrafts were formed and developed, such as pottery, boat constrction, stone sculptures, jewery, ornament making, etc. Particulaly, the jewery and ornamental products of the Oc Eo cuture, such as gold plates, bracelets, chains, rings, earrings, medals, ets., which were made from many different materials, disversified in forms and styles, with elaborate and sophisticated decorative themes, are not only the masterpieces from the skillful hands of artisans but also the expression of their thoughts in the cultural and spiritual life; their believe and religions (Buddhiem and Hinduism) through the images of their products.
This special exhibitions is conducted by the Museum of History in Ho Chi Minh city in cooperation with the provincial museum of Dong Nai, Long An, Tien Giang, Dong Thap, Can Tho, An Giang and Kien Giang with a view to introducing approximately 300 artifacts of jewery and ornamentation found from the Oc Eo - culture sites.