Many unique discoveries about two ancient boats in Bac Ninh

Archaeologists all said that this was the first time in Vietnam that two boats were discovered that were solidly connected by a wooden bar at the bow. (Photo: Do Huyen/VNA)

Regarding the excavation of two ancient boats in Cong Ha quarter, Ha Man ward, Thuan Thanh town, Bac Ninh province, on March 26, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Ninh coordinated with the Institute of Archaeology to organize a workshop to assess the preliminary results of the excavation of the ancient boats.

Extremely rare discovery

Although there is no official conclusion, through field research and comparison of many sources of documents, scientists consider this to be an extremely rare and unique discovery in the history of Vietnamese archaeology.

Archaeologists all agree that this is the first time in Vietnam that two boats have been discovered that are very solidly connected together by a wooden bar at the bow.

Dr. Pham Van Trieu, Deputy Head of the Department of Archaeology, Institute of Archaeology, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Head of the archaeological team, said that the discovered ancient boat was 16.2m long, 2.25m wide, about 2.15m deep, divided into 6 compartments, with a single-log bottom, and the top was joined together with mortise and tenon wooden planks. The two hulls of the boat were firmly connected together at the bow.

The boat's structure is very special with solid joints, high-level mortise and tenon techniques, all wooden rivets, absolutely no metal involved.

Associate Professor, Doctor Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Vietnam Archaeological Association, commented that although there is currently no overall conclusion about the two boats, observations show that the structure of the boats is strange. The two boats have unique and great archaeological value not only for Vietnamese archaeology but also at the world level.

Scientists continue to study them, comparing them with watercraft found in the region and around the world, as well as studying historical trade flows to further clarify the origin of the two boats.

In practice, many experts believe that the wood used to build the boat is Tau mat wood. The exact age has not been determined yet because we are still waiting for the results of Carbon-C14 sample analysis (after about 20-25 days) and related studies.

The discovered ancient boat is 16.2m long, 2.25m wide, about 2.15m deep, divided into 6 compartments, with a dugout bottom and wooden planks on top. (Photo: Do Huyen/VNA)

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri, Institute of Archaeology, commented that this is a type of international boat, influenced by the Asia-Pacific region, called a double-hulled boat.

Based on details such as the boat nails being made of wood, the planks being connected by hooks and equal wooden bars, the boat may date from around the 11th-14th century, during the Ly Dynasty, and is a Vietnamese boat.

In situ conservation

Currently, the most optimal solution to preserve the two ancient boats suggested by scientists is urgent in-situ conservation while continuing to expand research.

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.

Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri proposed that in the short term, it should be preserved in situ with one of two options. First, fill in the archaeological area, close the relic to preserve the original state underground, and recreate 3D images above to serve tourists and locals. Option 2 is to build a tank system, immerse the boat underwater, tourists can come and see it directly, this is an effective and sustainable solution.

"If we bring it to the provincial museum, it will be a challenge, not only in terms of finance but also in terms of preservation. We all know that if we bring the boat up, it will not be preserved in its original state, because the boat has been submerged in water for a long time, it will be difficult to keep the wood as it was originally," Associate Professor, Dr. Bui Minh Tri said.

Dr. Nguyen Van Doan, Director of the National Museum of History, also stated that this boat, regardless of its age, is an extremely valuable and meaningful heritage. Therefore, investment and careful research are needed to preserve it. Without appropriate conservation methods, it will be difficult to maintain its current state, especially in the current climate conditions, preserving wood is very difficult without careful research.

The option of dismantling and bringing it to a museum is also not feasible because if the boat is brought up, it will be difficult to maintain its original shape. Therefore, preserving it in situ is the most reasonable option.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Archaeological Association, it is necessary to continue to conduct in-depth, comprehensive and extensive research to deeply evaluate and identify its value, and at the same time propose conservation solutions.

Artifacts found on an ancient boat. (Photo: Do Huyen/VNA)

Information needs to be widely published 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.

The excavation of the ancient boat started on March 3 and is expected to end on April 3, 2025, chaired by Dr. Pham Van Trieu, Deputy Head of the Department of Historical Archaeology (Institute of Archaeology).

The location where the ancient boat traces appeared is on the Dau River, a branch of the Thien Duc River - Duong River, flowing close to the western bank of Luy Lau Citadel, about 1km from Luy Lau Citadel, about 600m northeast of Dau Pagoda and about 500m from To Pagoda (worshipping Buddha Mother Man Nuong) as the crow flies./.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nhieu-phat-hien-doc-dao-ve-hai-chiec-thuyen-co-o-bac-ninh-5042234.html