8,000 year old embracing couple found in Turkey

So there is now a new "oldest couple embracing" record in finding an 8,000 year old couple embracing in a newly unearthed tomb in Turkey. There might be more to the story than that. The article mentions that the previous couple that dates to 5,000 years ago were discovered in Verona, Italy.

This far, far predates the Etruscan questions, but there does seem to be some cultural connection between Anatolia and and Tuscany, as well as the concrete examples of a genetic one. Maybe it goes even further back than suspected. I'm wondering if these burial ritual were not isolated incidents, but some tiny fragments of a nearly obliterated tradition.

Phung Nguyen tomb in Vietnam

The Stone Pages clipped this article first.

Vietnamese and Chinese archaeologists have recently unearthed an ancient tomb at an archaeological site in Vinh Tuong district, northern Vinh Phuc province (Vietnam). The 1.7 metre-sepulchre was said to belong to the Phung Nguyen culture dating back to 3,500-4000 years ago.

During the second excavation at the 200-square-metre Nghia Lap archaeological site, hundreds of stone tools and thousands of ceramic objects belonging to the Phung Nguyen culture were also found, including axes, graters and jewelry like necklaces and earrings. The remains and objects unearthed are currently preserved at a local museum for further research, said experts.

Sources: VNA, Nhan Dan (6 January 2007)

There is a progression of the early cultures of Vietnam here.