Proposed measures to protect two ancient boats recently excavated in Bac Ninh

2 boats never seen before in Vietnam

Today (March 26), the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province held a conference with the participation of many scientists to clarify more information about two ancient boats recently discovered in Thuan Thanh, Bac Ninh.

A field conference took place on March 26 about two ancient boats that were recently excavated in Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province.

According to Dr. Pham Van Trieu, Deputy Head of the Historical Archaeology Department (Institute of Archaeology), through the excavation and research process, it can be initially determined that this could be a double-hulled boat with two bottoms and a fairly advanced mortise and tenon technique. The entire boat uses wooden nails, the bottom of the boat is a single carved wooden body.

"This is a very valuable discovery because of the uniqueness of the artifact. According to measurements, the newly excavated boat is about 16m long, with a width of 1.95 - 2m. The boat is divided into 6 compartments, with a solid connection between the two boats. This is the first time archaeologists in Vietnam have seen this connection," said Dr. Pham Van Trieu.

Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Archaeological Association, said that this is a boat "never seen before" in Vietnam in many aspects, from materials, techniques, shipbuilding methods to structure... all of which we have never seen before.

"I agree with scientists that it is necessary to continue to conduct in-depth, comprehensive and extensive research to deeply evaluate, identify its value, and at the same time propose conservation solutions.

The information needs to be widely publicized so that foreign experts can participate in research and learn about the value of Vietnamese cultural history in general and Bac Ninh cultural history in particular," said Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Trung Tin.

Scientists assess that these two boats are very typical, international, and influenced by the Asia-Pacific region, not Southeast Asia.

Regarding the age of the two ancient boats, Dr. Pham Van Trieu informed that it is currently impossible to draw a conclusion because we are still waiting for the results of carbon-14 analysis and other related studies.

Currently, Mr. Trieu and the archaeological team are waiting for analysis results from the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, estimated to take more than 20 days.

As a scientist specializing in underwater archaeology and having research topics related to Luy Lau ancient citadel, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri, Department of Underwater Archaeology (Institute of Archaeology) said that this is an important discovery in connecting Dau River with the sea and Thang Long citadel in the ancient river flow system from ancient times.

At the end of November 2024, during the process of renovating a fish pond, Mr. Nguyen Van Chien (residing in Cong Ha Quarter, Ha Man Ward, Thuan Thanh Town) discovered 2 wooden boats at the bottom of the pond.
After receiving information and consulting with the authorities, in early March 2025, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) to conduct an urgent excavation of the remains of these two ancient boats.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri, this is a double-hulled boat. He said that through the process of working and researching many international documents, it was confirmed that this is a very typical type of boat, international in nature, influenced by the Asia-Pacific region, not Southeast Asia.

"International experts give a date that cannot be earlier than the 10th century and no later than the 15th century. Thus, with wooden nails, connecting the planks with hooks and equal wooden bars..., in my opinion, the boat's frame is from the 11th - 14th century, I lean towards the Ly Dynasty and it is a Vietnamese boat," said Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri.

Many tree seeds were discovered in the bottom of two ancient boats in Bac Ninh.

Using 3D technology in preserving ancient boats

Regarding the issue of conservation, Associate Professor Dr. Bui Minh Tri said that wood conservation is a difficult problem. As a scientist trained in conservation in Japan, he said that wood conservation is the most difficult problem in the world.

"In Japan, it is pine wood, but in our country, there are many different types of wood. For example, the boat in Thang Long Imperial Citadel is only left in place and soaked in water, not put on display," Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri informed.

From that reality, Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri proposed two conservation options:

Firstly, fill in the archaeological area, close the relic to preserve the original underground state, delineate this area and bring back 3D images of the relic to serve tourists and people.

Second, in situ conservation without filling, building a tank and having water for conservation, visitors can come and see directly. This solution will also cost money but bring sustainable and long-term effectiveness.

Scientists propose preserving these two ancient boats in situ.

However, according to him, to study the entire boat, we need to use 3D technology to scan the entire boat soon so that we can analyze, compare, dataize, expand research... as well as soon bring this information internationally to receive professional and technical support.

"Towards in situ conservation, the choice of which option depends on the conditions and capabilities of Bac Ninh province," said Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri.

At the conference, experts and scientists from the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, the Center for Underwater Archaeology, the Vietnam Museum of History, the Institute of Archaeology... all agreed that in-situ preservation is appropriate. In particular, the Institute of Archaeology proposed that the immediate solution could be to "fill" for preservation, using 3D to reconstruct images to serve the people and tourists.

An area of ​​more than 1,000 square meters is being protected to serve the excavation of two ancient boats.

However, to have a scientific basis and appropriate solutions, to propose to Bac Ninh province, Associate Professor, Dr. Ha Van Can, Deputy Director in charge of the Institute of Archaeology, said that the relocation work is also very difficult, the archaeological area is expected to be planned into a green park.

Therefore, it is recommended to preserve in situ, and to fill up for preservation. After having a plan, a project will be established to build a preservation house, a relic house, and re-excavation... At the same time, it is recommended to continue researching the structure of the boat, assessing the role of the heritage... in order to have specific solutions and conservation plans for the heritage.

"The Institute of Archaeology will have an official proposal sent to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh province to advise the Provincial People's Committee on how to take the next step in planning, how to display in all the connections with other relics as well as the connections with ancient rivers," Associate Professor, Dr. Ha Van Can affirmed.

Video: Panorama of the excavation area of ​​two ancient boats in Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/de-xuat-bien-phap-bao-ve-2-thuyen-co-vua-khai-quat-o-bac-ninh-1922503261758329.htm