Stories from the ancient ship Cam An

After the tide receded at Thinh My beach (Hoi An Tay ward), more rotten wooden fragments of the ancient Cam An ship were revealed.

Ancient shipwreck in Cam An has been unearthed. Photo: HS

Initial surveys by specialized agencies have identified the ancient Cam An ship as being large in scale, with a relatively intact structure including a system of anti-sinking compartments, massive supporting beams, and shipbuilding techniques bearing the mark of a fusion between Southeast Asia and China. This could be one of the most important underwater archaeological discoveries in Central Vietnam in recent years, linked to the flourishing period of the Hoi An trading port on the "Maritime Silk Road".

1. For underwater archaeology, especially in tropical environments like Central Vietnam, submerged wooden artifacts are the most fragile type of heritage. For centuries, the sea sand and anaerobic environment have inadvertently formed a "protective cocoon" for the shipwreck.

Wave after wave, carrying coarse sand, continuously erodes the wooden surfaces. The wooden beams, already weakened by time, now directly withstand the immense hydrodynamic impact of the breaking waves. After each storm, the hull of the ship rises higher, transforming the wreck into a natural "wave barrier." This is a process of mechanical destruction that occurs day by day.

Even more concerning is the destruction at the microscopic level. When centuries-old, waterlogged archaeological wood comes into contact with air, the "wet-dry" cycle triggers the growth of mold, algae, and microorganisms. The white and green patches clinging to the ship's hull today are not simply natural traces; they are evidence of a highly active process of biodegradation.

From a scientific standpoint, underwater archaeological wood is no longer "wood" in the conventional sense. After centuries, cellulose and hemicellulose—the components that give wood its strength—have almost completely decomposed. What remains is just a hollow lignin framework, sustained by water filling each microscopic capillary. If left to dry naturally in the sun and wind of Central Vietnam, the surface tension caused by water evaporation will cause the entire cellular structure to collapse. The wood will crack, warp, shrink, and quickly become worthless. In other words, the ancient Cam An ship is currently in an extremely dangerous state. What the sea exposes today may disappear completely after just a few more rainy and stormy seasons.

2. In many underwater archaeological cases around the world , the preferred principle is "in-situ preservation," that is, keeping artifacts underground or underwater to minimize impact. However, this principle is only effective when the environment remains stable.

In Cam An, the current natural conditions have completely changed. Coastal erosion in Hoi An is becoming increasingly severe. Areas that were once hundreds of meters from the water's edge are now being battered right up to the shore. Preliminary studies also show that the ship's original location was on a high sand dune, quite far from the sea. This means the natural protective sand layer is no longer stable. Continuing to cover the area with sand or providing temporary protection will only be a short-term solution. A major storm could sweep the entire cover into the sea in just a few hours.

International experience shows that many countries have failed with passive conservation methods in dynamic coastal environments. The Swash Channel shipwreck in England is a prime example. Initially, British scientists also experimented with geotextile coverings, sandbags, and reducing currents to keep the wreck at the seabed. But ultimately, they were forced to switch to large-scale salvage excavations because the rate of erosion was too rapid. That lesson is worth reflecting on for Cam An today.

More rotten wood fragments from the wooden shipwreck are exposed in Cam An. Photo: HS

3. From a professional perspective, the most appropriate course of action now is no longer "waiting for more data," but rather preparing for an emergency excavation and rescue operation on a sufficiently large and professional scale. It is crucial to recognize that this is not simply "excavating an ancient ship." This is a unique heritage complex encompassing ship structures, shipbuilding techniques, traces of maritime trade, wood and metal materials, marine ecology, and the history of international trade in Hoi An centuries ago.

If excavation is rushed and lacks proper conservation procedures, the heritage site could be damaged immediately after being brought ashore. However, delays will allow nature to continue destroying the remaining parts underwater. Therefore, the city needs to quickly establish an interdisciplinary mechanism involving the cultural, archaeological, material conservation, oceanography, and marine engineering sectors. This should be coupled with the mobilization of professional support from international shipbuilding conservation centers.

Experience from major shipwreck projects around the world shows that the excavation process must be carried out like an "underwater surgery." It's impossible to mechanically pull the hull out of the seabed sand. Components need to be separated into parts, numbered, 3D scanned, kept absolutely moist, and immediately placed into a specialized preservation system. Importantly, post-excavation conservation infrastructure must be prepared now. Bringing the wood ashore is only the first step; the subsequent preservation phase will last for many years.

4. The bigger picture behind the Cam An shipwreck story is the vision for the future of Da Nang - Hoi An's maritime heritage. Central Vietnam has been one of the most vibrant maritime trading hubs in Southeast Asia for centuries, yet underwater archaeology in Vietnam remains relatively new. Successfully handling the Cam An case would not only be a heritage rescue but also a milestone affirming the new capabilities of Vietnam's marine archaeology sector.

More importantly, this ship could become the centerpiece of a modern exhibition space showcasing the maritime history of Central Vietnam. When digitally restored and properly preserved, it will tell today's public the story of a time when Hoi An was one of the busiest international trading gateways in the region.

That heritage doesn't just belong to the past. It could become a unique cultural, educational, and tourism asset for the city in the future. But for that day to come, the prerequisite is that the ship must still exist.

The images from the scene today show that we don't have much time left. And this is the moment when a quick decision is needed to preserve a rare witness to Vietnam's maritime history.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/chuyen-tu-tau-co-cam-an-3338350.html