Rare shipbuilding techniques discovered for the first time

VHO - The ancient boat newly excavated in Bac Ninh is the largest, most complex boat relic in terms of structure and technique ever discovered, the first time it has been seen in ancient boat building techniques in Vietnam and the world .

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province has had initial results on the excavation of ancient boat relics in Ha Man ward, Thuan Thanh town. Accordingly, the entire two boat hulls were crafted using the same technique, which is the technique of carving a single tree trunk, joining planks with mortise and tenon joints, then the mortise and tenon joints were secured with wooden nails.

The area where the ancient boat was discovered in Bac Ninh (photo by the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province)

The most complex technique is shown in the bow and stern, which is the connection between the dugout bottom and the sideboard, which are locked together, fixed by 4 wooden pillars of similar size 5x5 cm. This is the first technique seen in ancient boat building techniques in Vietnam and the world.

According to the assessment of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province, scientists have determined the initial value, from the scale, structure, technique and construction materials, showing that this is a type of catamaran. This could be a boat with the function of transporting goods, but could also be a boat used for river or river-sea cruising.

The boat is built entirely of wood, no metal is used in the structural parts and connections of the boat.

Based on documents about ancient boats in Vietnam and around the world, scientists assess that this is the boat relic with the largest scale, most complex structure and technique, the only one discovered so far, not only in Vietnam but also internationally.

Especially the connecting structure at the bow and stern of the boat with the hull, specifically the connecting block between the dugout at the bottom and the protruding planks at the bow and stern has never been seen anywhere else in the world.

Based on the technique, it is shown that this type of boat is often of early date and can be built in Vietnam, a continued development of the boat building technique of the Dong Son culture through comparing the bottom of the 2 hulls with the dugout structure (made from a tree trunk) and the mortise and tenon technique.

It is suggested that the boat dates from the 11th to the 14th century (Ly and Tran dynasties), and cannot be later than the 15th century and has technical influence from the south.

Also according to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province, the Institute of Archaeology recommended continuing to expand excavation and research to the entire Dau River space, studying the scale and structure of the Dau River in the area where the relic was discovered, decoding the location and role, and the transformation process of the Dau River in history, and at the same time organizing international-level seminars with the participation of experts from many countries.

Scientists also recommend preserving the original state in place, implementing protection zones, and urgently preserving the relic by filling it up scientifically and systematically to avoid impacts from natural and social conditions that directly affect the relic.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/ky-thuat-dong-tau-quy-hiem-lan-dau-tien-duoc-phat-hien-130827.html