Why haven't the ancient ships that surfaced off the coast of Hoi An been salvaged and excavated after Typhoon No. 13?

tàu cổ - Ảnh 1. — The ancient ship has surfaced for the second time in the same location off the coast of Hoi An - Photo: BD

On the morning of November 11th, the site where the suspected ancient ship surfaced off the coast of Hoi An on the morning of November 8th remained unchanged. Compared to three days prior, the portion of the ship protruding from the sand was significantly less.

It's not easy to remove the ancient ship from the site.

Authorities continue to station personnel to guard the site, preventing strangers from approaching and potentially damaging the artifacts.

Nevertheless, the ship still aroused curiosity and attracted many people who came to observe it from a distance.

In a report submitted to authorities on November 8th, 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 from scientists also suggests that the ship "could be a treasure trove of shipwrecks, discovered in a nearly intact condition." Requests for early excavation and research have been made since the beginning of 2024.

However, even in recent days, when the ancient ship has once again revealed its astonishing form, excavation has not yet been possible.

Explaining this situation, the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Center stated that the erosion is currently occurring severely along the Hoi An coastline, ancient shipwrecks are constantly being exposed, and many factors are directly contributing to it.

Therefore, it is necessary to urgently excavate the artifacts from the seashore. However, excavating an artifact lying beneath the seabed sand, on a massive ship, in a setting close to the water's edge, with the tide constantly rising and falling, is no simple task.

tàu cổ - Ảnh 2. — An interior of an ancient ship lying in the sea off Hoi An - Photo: BD

Authorities are being cautious about the fate of the ancient ship.

Most importantly, excavation and preservation methods must be extremely cautious and carefully planned. There have been instances where artifacts and archaeological relics have deteriorated rapidly upon being brought to the surface due to exposure to air and the surrounding environment.

"Artifacts made of wood, after being buried in sandy soil for a long time and now exposed to harsh weather conditions, are easily damaged. Therefore, the excavation process must pay attention to preservation and anticipate all possible solutions."

"The results of the excavation of the ancient ship not only provide us with another representative artifact to display and introduce to tourists 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.

tàu cổ - Ảnh 3. — The reappearance of the ancient ship has attracted considerable attention from tourists and locals - Photo: BD

The Da Nang Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it is requesting 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 caution is needed to develop a thorough plan, ensuring scientific accuracy and avoiding any impact on the artifacts.

As previously reported, on November 8th, residents of Hoi An discovered a wooden ship, believed to be an ancient vessel, floating on the beach in Cam An ward, former Hoi An city (now Hoi An Tay ward, Da Nang city).

Authorities have identified this ship as the same archaeological artifact that surfaced once before in late 2023. Based on assessments, this wooden ship dates from the 14th to 16th centuries.

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