Monday finished  Researchers on emoving Vietnamese antiques from a 700-year-old wrecked ship in waters off Binh Chau Commune in central Quang Ngai Province.— Photo vnexpress

QUANG NGAI (VNS) — Researchers on emoving Vietnamese antiques from a 700-year-old wrecked ship in waters off Binh Chau Commune in central Quang Ngai Province.

To reach the objects, a wall was built around the ship and the sea water pumped out.

The work, carried out by Doan Anh Duong Company, took 20 days.

The archaeologists removed 268 buckets of artefacts, including dishes, jars, bowls, pots and coins dating from the 7th century.

They were surprised to find that one third of the vessel was still intact although it had been under water for 700 years, said Nguyen Van Viet, director of the Centre for South-east Asian Prehistory.

Nguyen Dang Vu, director of the Quang Ngai Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, examines an artefact found from the wrecked ship. Photo giaoduc

"I have studied wrecked ships for 30 years, but this is the first time I have had a chance to touch and work inside a rather intact ship like this," he said.

"The ship and its antiques are so meaningful for researchers of archaeology and shipping."

The 24m-long timber vessel was divided into 12 holds. Much of it, including the rudder and bulkhead were relatively undamaged.

All objects found will be stored and displayed at Quang Ngai Provincial Museum.

If the ship proves to be Vietnamese, it will reflect the importance of ports in central Viet Nam to regional trade and shipping.

At the time, these ports were probably the busiest in South-east and Eastern Asia. – VNS