Urgent excavation of ancient ship discovered on Hoi An coast

ANCIENT SHIP REVEALS AFTER THE STORM

In recent days, Hoi An beach, passing through Thinh My block (Hoi An Tay ward, Da Nang city), has attracted a large number of locals and tourists to admire the ancient shipwreck that has just emerged from the sand after a long time of being buried.

Khẩn cấp khai quật tàu cổ phát lộ ở bờ biển Hội An- Ảnh 1. — Ancient ship appears on Hoi An coast

Previously, at the end of December 2023, people discovered the wooden frame of the ship gradually emerging on the coast of Cam An Ward (Hoi An City, old Quang Nam ), about 400 meters from the ward People's Committee headquarters. Experts believe that this could be an "ancient ship treasure" because it was discovered in an almost intact condition.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoai (62 years old, living in Tan Thanh block) said that the shipwreck is located under the coastal sand dunes, near the red dirt road built by the French in the past. Over time, strong sea erosion, storms, floods and waves have washed away the sand, gradually revealing the shipwreck.

The initial survey and specimen identification results of the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center show that the ship is large in size, has a solid structure, and is built from durable woods such as Lagerstroemia (sang le), Kien Kien, and pine. The ship uses waterproof sealant, allowing it to undertake long voyages that can serve commerce at sea or naval warfare.

Although the absolute dating results using the C14 method are not yet complete, based on the location of the discovery, which was deep inland, and the similarity in structure, construction techniques and materials with traditional shipwrecks discovered in the Southeast Asian sea, it shows a high possibility that the ancient ship in Hoi An sea dates from the mid-late 14th century to the 16th century. Therefore, the existence of the ancient ship is not only a testament to a vibrant maritime history before contact with Western maritime, but also an extremely rare ancient ship treasure that is still the most intact preserved in both Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Khẩn cấp khai quật tàu cổ phát lộ ở bờ biển Hội An- Ảnh 2. — The ancient ship when it was covered by sand

Recently, during the heavy rain and floods caused by the Fengshen storm, the waves caused serious erosion of the coastline, revealing the ship. The Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation surveyed and recorded the scene, many details of the ship were revealed, the width of the ship was measured at more than 5 m, the length of the exposed part was measured at 17.4 m. In addition, the details of the raft, planks, partitions, etc. were quite clear. The current status of the ship's location, the sea level rising and falling by the day, also caused the ship to be filled with sand and then exposed frequently.

The excavation and preservation of the ancient ship on the coast of Hoi An is expected to contribute to clarifying the glorious maritime history of Vietnam; at the same time, adding a valuable heritage to the land of Hoi An - an ancient town recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.

Khẩn cấp khai quật tàu cổ phát lộ ở bờ biển Hội An- Ảnh 3. — The discovery of the ancient ship is considered an important archaeological discovery.

P IMPORTANT ARCHEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES

According to the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation, this ship is a unique and vivid physical evidence of a bustling period of trade in the East Sea. For centuries, Hoi An sea area held a strategic position on the international maritime route connecting East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, the West and was part of the maritime trade route.

Mr. Pham Phu Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Hoi An Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation Center, said that the center has applied many temporary protection measures, such as: erecting prohibition signs, coordinating with local people to watch over and monitor the silting progress of the ship; at the same time, requesting the People's Committee of Hoi An Tay Ward to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people and tourists not to encroach or dig in this area. "In the face of serious coastal erosion, and at the same time, the relics that are frequently exposed are affected by adverse weather factors that cause damage if there are no preservation measures, the issue of protecting the current state of safety when the ship is exposed is also facing many difficulties. Therefore, the center proposes to carry out procedures to organize emergency excavation and initial preservation of this relic," said Mr. Ngoc.

Khẩn cấp khai quật tàu cổ phát lộ ở bờ biển Hội An- Ảnh 4. — The ship dates from the mid-late 14th to 16th centuries.

According to Mr. Ngoc, whether to salvage or keep it in place will depend on the actual conditions. Salvaging is not difficult, but preserving it after bringing it ashore is a big challenge. Without a suitable environment, the artifacts will quickly deteriorate. Therefore, all options will be carefully considered, and experts in archaeology and conservation at home and abroad, including Japan, may be invited to participate in consulting.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khan-cap-khai-quat-tau-co-phat-lo-o-bo-bien-hoi-an-185251110230418013.htm