Preserving and promoting the value of ancient boats discovered in Bac Ninh.

Bảo vệ và phát huy giá trị thuyền cổ phát hiện tại khu phố Công Hà, phường Song Liễu, tỉnh Bắc Ninh - Ảnh 1. — Photo source: VNA

On March 4, 2025, the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province issued Decision No. 371/QD-UBND on the emergency excavation of ancient boat relics in Cong Ha neighborhood, Ha Man ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province.

Following a period of archaeological excavation, on March 26, 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province, in coordination with the Institute of Archaeology, presented a preliminary report on the results of the excavation and research of ancient boats. The report was attended by leading scientists and experts in archaeology, history, conservation, and museums: the Institute of Archaeology, the Vietnam Archaeological Society, the Institute of History, the National Museum of History, the Southeast Asian Prehistory Center, the Vietnam Shipbuilding Association, experts in underwater archaeology, experts in ancient boats, experts in ship history research, etc., along with representatives from Bac Ninh province: representatives from the Provincial People's Committee Office, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Construction, the Department of Finance, representatives from the Thuận Thành Town government, Hà Mãn ward, and Công Hà residential area, etc.

The conference aimed to assess the value and propose urgent protection and preservation plans and solutions for the ancient boat and its discovery site, with the goal of maximizing its value. Preliminary assessment results indicate that this is a type of catamaran, with the unearthed remains at the site being the two remaining hull sections (in technical terms, these are called the submersible sections, meaning the structure completely submerged underwater, functioning as two pontoons supporting the entire superstructure). The superstructure has been completely lost (possibly due to dismantling). Although the boat's age cannot yet be determined, and C14 dating analysis is not yet available, its presence in Vietnamese history, specifically during the Ly Dynasty, can be confirmed through historical records.

The unique feature of this ancient boat is that it was built entirely of wood, without the use of iron in its structural and connecting parts. Based on documents about ancient boats in Vietnam and around the world , scientists assess this as a boat relic of a scale, structure, and technical complexity, unique to date not only in Vietnam but also internationally. Especially noteworthy is the connecting structure at the bow and stern of the boat, specifically the connection between the single-piece wooden bottom and the protruding parts at the bow and stern, which has never been seen anywhere else in the world.

Also at the conference, there was a consensus that the specific age would await the results of C14 analysis, but based on the techniques, it appears that this type of boat was likely built in Vietnam, a continuation of the Dong Son shipbuilding techniques, as evidenced by comparing the bottom of the two hulls with a single-trunk structure.

Based on the initial assessments mentioned above, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests the People's Committee of Bac Ninh province to deploy forces in the area to protect the safety, security, and order of the area where the ancient boat was discovered and excavated; to prevent and promptly handle any activities that endanger the safety of the ancient boat and artifacts. Organize public awareness campaigns on protecting cultural heritage in the area where the ancient boat was discovered.

Simultaneously, it is necessary to urgently organize assessments to accurately determine the type of artifacts, characteristics, and age of the archaeological site; and propose the organization of conferences and workshops to advise on solutions for managing, preserving, and promoting the value of the site in accordance with the law on cultural heritage.

In addition, relevant agencies are directed to promptly develop and submit for approval a plan and methods for protecting and promoting the value of the excavation site, as well as measures for organizing, preserving, and creating scientific documentation for the ancient boat artifacts, in compliance with the law on cultural heritage in 2024.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/bao-ve-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-thuyen-co-phat-hien-tai-bac-ninh-20251205144939051.htm