Protecting 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 urgent excavation of ancient boat relics in Cong Ha quarter, Ha Man ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province.

After conducting archaeological excavations, on March 26, 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology to conduct a preliminary report on the results of excavations and research on ancient boats, with the participation of scientists and leading experts in archaeology, history, conservation, and museums: Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Archaeological Association, Institute of History, National Museum of History, Southeast Asia Prehistory Center, Vietnam Ship Association, underwater archaeology experts, ancient boat experts, ship history research experts... and management agencies of Bac Ninh province: representatives of the Provincial People's Committee Office, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Department of Construction, Department of Finance, representatives of Thuan Thanh Town government, Ha Man ward and Cong Ha residential group,...

The conference aimed to assess the value, and at the same time, propose plans and solutions to urgently protect and preserve the ancient boats and the location where the ancient boats were discovered, aiming to promote their value. The preliminary value assessment results initially showed that this was a type of double-hulled boat, the traces discovered at the scene were the two remaining hulls (this part in technical terminology is called the water-occupying part, that is, the structure completely submerged underwater, functioning as two buoys supporting the entire structure above). The structure above was completely lost (possibly due to being dismantled). Although the age of the boat cannot be determined yet, and there are no C14 dating results, it is possible to confirm the presence of this type of boat in Vietnamese history, specifically the Ly dynasty through historical records.

The uniqueness and uniqueness of the ancient boat is that it was built entirely of wood, without using iron in the structural and connecting parts of the boat. Based on the sources of documents about ancient boats in Vietnam and around the world , scientists assess that this is a boat relic with a complex scale, structure and technique, the only one discovered so far not only in Vietnam but also internationally. Especially in the connecting structure at the head (bow) and stern of the boat, specifically in the connecting block between the dugout at the bottom and the protruding parts at the bow and stern has never been found anywhere in the world.

Also at the Conference, opinions were unanimous, the specific age will wait for the results of C14 analysis, but based on the technique, it shows that this type of boat can be built in Vietnam, is a continued development of the Dong Son boat building technique through comparing the bottom of the 2 hulls with the dugout structure (made from a tree trunk).

From the above initial assessments, 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; prevent and promptly handle all activities that endanger the safety of the ancient boat and relics and antiquities. Organize propaganda for the people about the protection of cultural heritage in the area where the ancient boat was discovered.

At the same time, urgently organize assessments and accurately determine the types of relics, nature and age of archaeological sites; propose to organize conferences and seminars to advise on solutions for management, conservation and promotion of values according to the provisions of law on cultural heritage.

At the same time, direct competent authorities to promptly develop and submit for approval plans and solutions to protect and promote the value of excavation sites and measures to adjust, preserve, and establish scientific records for ancient boat relics in compliance with the provisions of 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