By around 500BC the region was being influenced by two major civilizations. Tonkin and Annam, east of the mountains running down the center of the region, were influenced by China and its culture, including systems of kingship, society and art. The kingdoms west of these mountains, [M 016 / Cambodia, Laos and Thailand], owe much of their cultural heritage to India.
The earliest-dated culture in the region was the Dong-Son culture found around the plains of Tonkin which had its center at Dong-Son, south of today's Hanoi. It too was profoundly influenced by the Chinese. Bronze objects, notably huge bronze drums - which may have been used in rainmaking ceremonies after the long dry season - have been discovered in this area and were attributed to this ancient civilization dating from about 500BC to 200BC. [G 21 / Mahayana] Buddhism was brought from China and established in Tonkin.
