Another ancient shipwreck discovered in Hoi An?

VHO - According to the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Conservation (Center), during the survey of the ancient ship Cam An, information was received from fishermen about the existence of a sunken ship carrying goods whose relics could be mainly Zhangzhou ceramics, a little from Dehua, and cast iron pans with a dating frame centered around 1560–1630, at the end of the Ming Dynasty.

The ship is located at a depth of about 14-15 m along the coast from Tan Thanh to Cua Dai (Hoi An), about 1 km from shore, with many traces and reliable bases.

Trusted Base

Mr. Tran Thin (a fisherman residing in Group 1, Thinh My block) said that in 2017-2018, from the ship's position going out to sea about 1 km, at a depth of about 14m, a lime grave, many house foundations were discovered and going down to Cua Dai, a ship with many burnt pillars, a porcelain bowl compartment and many porcelain bowls, many very large cast iron pans stacked on top of each other was discovered...

Here, he salvaged many porcelain bowls and plates, some of which are still kept at Mr. Tran Thin's house, including broken pieces of bowls, plates, and blue-and-white porcelain, some white-glazed porcelain, brown earthenware, and a stone artifact.

Through verification by a recent survey team, the ceramic artifacts collected at Mr. Tran Thin's house are mainly Zhangzhou ceramics produced in the southern part of Fujian province (China).

This is a type of Chinese export ceramic, mainly for the Southeast Asian and Japanese markets, dating from the late Ming Dynasty around 1560–1630 (second half of the 16th century to first half of the 17th century).

In addition, some white-glazed ceramic pieces possibly from Dehua (Fujian, China), late Ming period, along with some earthenware pieces and a white marble artifact with a semicircular shape, flat body, and 2 side holes.

In addition, there is information that during diving, fishermen also discovered many cast iron pans which have also been confirmed through some shipwrecks in Southeast Asia. Accordingly, China has a monopoly on this item.

“Fishermen’s information about the existence of a sunken cargo ship near the coast from Tan Thanh to Cua Dai about 1 km is reliable. Therefore, relevant units need to soon organize a survey in this sea area to verify information about the location and cargo of the ship. From there, there will be scientific assessments as a basis for building long-term and specific programs for protection, research, excavation, conservation, and promotion of values ​​in the future,” the Center said.

Research on promoting the value of shipwreck heritage

Initial survey results show that the Cam An ship is an extremely important treasure and marine heritage not only of Vietnam but also of the Southeast Asian region, a testament to the vibrant maritime and commercial history in the East Sea, estimated to date from the 14th-16th centuries, designed in the East Sea tradition, with a large, durable structure, using imported native wood and the ship's current condition is quite intact.

Currently, in Vietnam, a number of shipwrecks have been discovered and excavated such as Hoi An, Vung Tau, Binh Thuan , Phu Quoc I and II, Binh Chau, but the excavations have only stopped at collecting artifacts in the ship, while the ship's structure was severely damaged and abandoned at sea.

To date, no ship has been discovered with a structure as well preserved as the Cam An ship. At the same time, no ship has had as many favorable conditions for excavation and preservation as the Cam An ship, located right at the water's edge along the coast.

Therefore, it is recommended to continue researching, excavating and preserving the Cam An ship, thereby creating a basis for promoting the historical, cultural and tourism values ​​in Hoi An.

The Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation also proposed that plans to protect the Cam An ship should be promptly developed. In the coming time, it is necessary to continue organizing and conducting long-term research to accurately determine the structure, age, origin, owner and relationship of the Cam An ship.

It is necessary to plan and develop detailed solutions for the excavation and conservation of the ship and the collected artifacts to ensure the originality and integrity of the ship and the collected artifacts. In particular, the excavation, research and conservation during excavation and post-excavation conservation must be carried out simultaneously and consistently.

In addition, it is necessary to have a plan to survey the Tan Thanh - Cua Dai sea area to search for new shipwrecks in this area. Propose specific solutions to preserve and promote the value of the Cam An ship heritage in the future as a driving force to promote Hoi An tourism development.

After the archaeological excavation project of the shipwreck in the waters of Cu Lao Cham, Hoi An ended in 1999, the Quang Nam Provincial Museum handed over more than 500 Chu Dau ceramic artifacts excavated from this ancient shipwreck to Hoi An city.

Next, in 2022, 103 Chu Dau ceramic artifacts in intact condition and with inventory numbers will be transferred, along with 43 broken artifacts and fragments. The above artifacts will be handed over to the Center for management and promotion, along with nearly 5,000 other artifacts seized by authorities from illegal fishing boats salvaged at the ancient shipwreck site.

Some types of artifacts are added to the exhibition at the Museum of Trade Ceramics. In addition, a special exhibition room “Chu Dau Ceramics – antiques from the seabed of Cu Lao Cham” has been built. These are also destinations that many tourists visit when coming to Hoi An.

In the future, if there is a plan to continue researching, excavating and preserving the Cam An ship along with other shipwrecks in Hoi An sea area, connecting with destinations displaying ceramic artifacts excavated from the Cu Lao Cham shipwreck, it will greatly contribute to promoting the historical, cultural and tourism values ​​in Hoi An.

From the messages of the ceramic artifacts excavated from the Cu Lao Cham shipwreck on display, the Cam An ancient shipwreck, and other shipwrecks in the Quang Nam sea will help us visualize the strong development of Vietnamese ceramics on the international trade route, as well as the role and position of Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An on the international maritime route in many centuries ago.

Such destinations will create more appeal, contributing to attracting tourists to Hoi An in the coming time. Thereby, helping people and tourists understand more deeply and love the historical and cultural values ​​of the country and people of Vietnam in general and the world cultural heritage of Hoi An in particular.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/phat-hien-them-tau-co-bi-dam-o-hoi-an-131333.html