Excavating the two newly discovered boats in Thuan Thanh Town.
The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Bac Ninh Province is collaborating with the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology to urgently excavate the two newly discovered boats in Thuan Thanh Town.
Nguyen Huu Mao, Director of the Bac Ninh Museum, Relic Management and Tourism Promotion Centre, stated that the excavation will occur over 300 square metres from March 3 to April 3.
It is reported that during the excavation of a pond for fish farming, a resident discovered the remains of an ancient boat in the Dau River, a tributary of the Thien Duc-Duong River, adjacent to the western wall of the ancient Luy Lau Citadel.
Both boats measure 16.2 metres in length but differ in width. The first boat is 1.95 metres wide, while the second one is 2.05 metres wide. Inside, the boats contain six compartments of varying depths, with the deepest reaching 1.5 metres.
The boats contain six compartments of varying depths, with the deepest reaching 1.5 metres.
"According to preliminary assessments by archaeologists, these may have been two cargo boats operating on the Dau River, fixed together as a single unit. This unique discovery features an unusual structure with a solid design that ensures both strength and water resistance.
Currently, experts are continuing the excavation and research to determine when the boats were constructed, analyse the type of wood used, and consider relocation options after the excavation," Mao told Dantri.
The ancient Luy Lau Citadel was built around the 2nd century BC and once served as the capital of Au Lac under King An Duong Vuong.
The citadel measured 680 metres in length, 529 metres in width, and had a perimeter of over 2 kilometres. A 3-metre-deep moat surrounded the walls, which were 20 metres thick. Inside, there were once royal palaces, treasuries, and other structures.
After King An Duong Vuong lost his kingdom, invading forces destroyed the citadel. Today, only a few remnants of its former grandeur remain.
