Precious ancient canoe discovered in Fujian
( 2003-12-20 11:04) (Xinhua)
Archaeologists of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences have confirmed that a rare ancient canoe found in south
China's Fujian province was built in the period of the Southern and Northern
Dynasties (420-589).
The canoe was found in the Minjiang river by fishermen in Minhou county this
September. Most ancient canoes were unearthed from relics or underground and it
was unusual to find them from a river, which made this discovery precious, said
Ou Tansheng, chiefof the Fujian Museum. The canoe will soon be on display at the
museum.
The canoe is about 11 meters long and 0.95 meters wide and is made of a whole
trunk of nanmu, a timber considered ideal for construction.
Archaeologists said the discovery is helpful in the study of local folk art
and shipbuilding in Fujian province.
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