Archaeological evidence of an old trading port have been found at a recent excavation conducted in the central Binh Dinh Province.

A ceramic bowl fromChina dating back to the 17-18th centuries.

The research was carried out by scientists from the Vietnam Archaeology Institute and the local provincial museum.

Researcher Bui Van Hieu from the institute, who led the excavation, said though the area excavated this time was not large, scientists found thousands of evidence and objects valuable to studying the whole site.

“Remnants of pillars, building foundations and kitchens dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries have been found,” he said. “A large amount of ceramic and porcelain wares made in China and Japan in the 18th and 19th centuries has been unearthed. Nearly 3,000 excavated pieces of glazed terracotta date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. About 12 metal coins and objects also have been found.”

Scientists said this was a large and busy trading port -- called Thi Nai Port, later renamed Nuoc Man Port -- in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Further research will be conducted at the site.

VNS