VietNamNet Bridge - During construction of a breakwater in Binh Hai commune in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province, a group of young people in the fishing village of An Cuong discovered a bronze cannon and a remains, which is believed to be a sailor of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The bronze cannon discovered in Quang Ngai.

Binh Hai Commune authorities have handed over the cannon to Quang Ngai Province Museum. The cannon is cast by bronze, 70cm long, 6 cm bore diameter, 35 kg in weight. The cannon is engraved with Chinese scripts, meaning "The 15th year of Minh Mang Dynasty - 1834). The cannon was found next to an ancient remains.

"Most cannons we've collected have been made of iron, but this is the first gun made from bronze. It's also the smallest gun we have seen so far," said Director of Quang Ngai Museum – Mr. Phan Dinh Do.

He added the museum would store the gun and put it on public display as soon as possible.

Dr. Doan Ngoc Khoi, deputy director of Quang Ngai Museum said this kind of cannon was used by the royal navy on maritime patrol ships dating back about 200 years ago.

"From the reign of King Minh Mang (1834), the Nguyen Dynasty was interested in maritime economics and set up flotillas equipped with weapons to patrol the country’s waters to prevent foreign enemies," said Khoi.

According to Dr. Khoi, the Quang Ngai Museum is studying the ancient remains discovered near the cannon to determine whether it is the remains of a sailor of the Nguyen Dynasty or not.

In 2009, locals also found five tons of iron cannon balls in the Sa Ky sea area.

Van Thanh