(VOVworld) – Archaeologists have recently discovered many ship wrecks with a large amount of chinaware and other objects off the coast of Quang Ngai province. Quang Ngai is believed to be rich in underwater cultural treasures. Tien Cong reports:

Archaeologists from the Doan Anh Duong Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, which specializes in seeking and salvaging underwater objects, have found 7 square stones, 1.5 meters long each and tens of round stones scattered around Be island in Ly Son district. According to initial assessments, these are sand stones with traces of manual work. They are believed to be construction materials from many centuries ago. Just 200 meters from that site, archaeologists also found green and white pottery pieces dating back 400-500 years. Doan Sung, adviser to the Doan Anh Duong company, said: “We found two shipwrecks by chance when archaeologists were diving to study the corals. The Chinaware was identified to date back to the 15^th, 16th century. Ly Son has great potential for sunken cultural treasures and we must conduct further research for more accurate evaluations.”

The Director of the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology Doctor Nguyen Giang Hai said people in Southeast Asia used to build cruise ships for travel and trade exchanges with countries all around the world. Southeast Asia was always a major docking point for western and eastern merchants. With a long coast and many islands, Vietnam’s central region and Quang Ngai province were the meeting place of many cultures from across the world. This reminds us of sea routes from many centuries ago. Since 1999 the province has discovered 10 shipwrecks in Binh Son and Ly Son island districts. The wrecks, dating back to the 8^th to 18^th century, were found in an area of 24 square kilometers, 200-400 meters off the coast. Director of the Vietnam Institute of Archaeology Nguyen Quang Hai said: “Quang Ngai has many sunken cultural treasures to be discovered. The archaeological finds in Binh Chau and Sa Ky port are amazing discoveries.”

Of the 10,000 objects discovered, scientists found 10 cannons and nearly 1,000 cannon balls. However, the province has not found an optimal way to preserve and protect these items. Nguyen Dang Vu, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said: “Some say we should leave the wrecks where they are. Others propose that we keep them in museums for further research and display. We have been waiting for a symposium on underwater archaeology where scientists can give us appropriate directions.”