Why hasn't the ancient ship that floated to the surface of Hoi An sea after storm number 13 been salvaged and excavated yet?

After first surfacing at the end of 2023 and then disappearing, in recent days an ancient ship suspected to have sunk hundreds of years ago has resurfaced in Hoi An sea. Why has the salvage and excavation not been able to proceed for such a long time?

The second ancient ship surfaced in the same location at Hoi An beach - Photo: BD

On the morning of November 11, the scene where the ship suspected to be an ancient ship surfaced in Hoi An on the morning of November 8 was still in place. Compared to three days earlier, the part of the ship protruding from the sand was much smaller.

It is not easy to remove the ancient ship from the scene.

Authorities continue to assign people to protect the scene, preventing strangers from approaching so as not to affect the relics.

However, the ship still arouses curiosity and attracts many people to come and watch from afar.

In a report sent to authorities on November 8, the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center also stated that the ship likely dates from the late 14th to the 16th century.

Initial research information from scientists also suggests that the ship "could be a treasure of a shipwreck, discovered in a nearly intact state". Requirements for early excavation and research have been set from early 2024.

However, even in recent days, when the ancient ship once again revealed its amazing shape, the excavation could not proceed.

Explaining this, the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center said that currently the level of erosion is happening fiercely on the Hoi An coast, ancient ship relics are continuously exposed and there are many factors directly affecting it.

Therefore, it is urgent to excavate the relic from the shore. However, excavating a relic lying under the sand, a large ship, in a context close to the water's edge, with the tide constantly rising and falling is not a simple matter.

The cabin of an ancient ship lying in Hoi An sea - Photo: BD

Authorities cautious about the fate of the ancient ship

Most importantly, excavation and preservation plans must be extremely careful and well calculated. There have been cases where artifacts and archaeological sites deteriorated quickly when brought above ground due to exposure to air and the surrounding environment.

"Wooden relics buried in sandy soil for a long time and now exposed to harsh climates are easily damaged. Therefore, the excavation process must pay attention to preservation and all solutions must be anticipated.

The results of the excavation of the ancient ship not only help us have another typical artifact to display and introduce to visitors from near and far, but also provide valuable information about the ancient trading port of Hoi An" - said an expert from the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology.

The incident of the ancient ship reappearing attracted much attention from tourists and locals - Photo: BD

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City said it is asking authorities in Hoi An to preserve the scene and protect the area where the wooden boat surfaced while awaiting further assessment procedures.

The excavation will be carried out but care must be taken to plan thoroughly, ensuring scientific factors and not affecting the relics.

As reported, on November 8, Hoi An residents discovered a wooden ship suspected to be an ancient ship floating on the beach of Cam An ward, old Hoi An city (now Hoi An Tay ward, Da Nang city).

Authorities identified this ship as the same archaeological relic that surfaced once in late 2023. Through assessment, this wooden ship dates from the 14th - 16th century.

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Thai Ba Dung

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-chua-truc-vot-khai-quat-tau-co-noi-len-bien-hoi-an-sau-bao-so-13-202511111241227.htm