Fragments of ceramic ware and stone statuary ware from an old shipwreckhave been found on an ancient ship found under water near the islet ofAn Binh, 3km from Ly Son Island in the central province of Quang Ngai.
Directorof Doan Anh Duong tourist company, Doan Sung, said his divers had foundhundreds of broken ceramic and stone pieces believed to be from the13th and 15th centuries.
"Archaeologists believe the ceramicpieces are from the 15th century, while the stone fragments are thoughtto come from the Champa Kingdom in the 13th century," Sung said.
"Idived more than 10 metres down and found the stones on a large coralreefs. We have been seeking a sunken ship wreck that carried the cargo,"he said.
The company, which was assigned by the Quang Ngaiauthorities to survey the area, also discovered a large coral reefcomplex and stone arch in the water.
"Our staff also discovered avolcanic arch made of rocks, which is similar to one off the coast ofLy Son Island. But the recently discovered arch is larger," he said.
"The stone arch was formed 250 million years at the same time as Ly Son Island was created by four volcanoes, now dormant.
He said his company planned to develop the area and coral reefs as an eco-tourism and scuba diving site.
Lastyear, the company, in co-operation with Vietnamese archaeologists,excavated another sunken ship, a 700-year-old cargo vessel said to bethe oldest shipwreck found in Vietnam, buried in sand only four metresunder the sea off Binh Chau commune.
They found 268 buckets of artefacts, including porcelain dishes, jars, bowls, pots and coins. Many were in perfect condition.
An international conference on shipwrecks will be held in the province from October 14-16.
The province has not yet decided to lift the 700-year-old shipwreck out of the water and preserve it in a museum.-VNA
Directorof Doan Anh Duong tourist company, Doan Sung, said his divers had foundhundreds of broken ceramic and stone pieces believed to be from the13th and 15th centuries.
"Archaeologists believe the ceramicpieces are from the 15th century, while the stone fragments are thoughtto come from the Champa Kingdom in the 13th century," Sung said.
"Idived more than 10 metres down and found the stones on a large coralreefs. We have been seeking a sunken ship wreck that carried the cargo,"he said.
The company, which was assigned by the Quang Ngaiauthorities to survey the area, also discovered a large coral reefcomplex and stone arch in the water.
"Our staff also discovered avolcanic arch made of rocks, which is similar to one off the coast ofLy Son Island. But the recently discovered arch is larger," he said.
"The stone arch was formed 250 million years at the same time as Ly Son Island was created by four volcanoes, now dormant.
He said his company planned to develop the area and coral reefs as an eco-tourism and scuba diving site.
Lastyear, the company, in co-operation with Vietnamese archaeologists,excavated another sunken ship, a 700-year-old cargo vessel said to bethe oldest shipwreck found in Vietnam, buried in sand only four metresunder the sea off Binh Chau commune.
They found 268 buckets of artefacts, including porcelain dishes, jars, bowls, pots and coins. Many were in perfect condition.
An international conference on shipwrecks will be held in the province from October 14-16.
The province has not yet decided to lift the 700-year-old shipwreck out of the water and preserve it in a museum.-VNA
