Three ancient cannons from the Nguyen Dynasty were discovered in a sunken ship on the seabed of Ha Tinh province. These valuable artifacts are now displayed at the Ha Tinh Museum, attracting many researchers and visitors.
Special Discovery from an Ancient Shipwreck
In August 2003, fishermen from Cam Linh commune, Cam Xuyen district, and Thach Kim commune, Thach Ha district (Ha Tinh) discovered an ancient shipwreck at a depth of 30 meters near Island Eye, about 35 nautical miles from the Nhuong estuary. During the exploration, they recovered three cannons. The Ha Tinh Museum subsequently took over and preserved these artifacts.
Notable Features of the Three Cannons
All three cannons bear the name “Bao Quoc An Dan Dai Tuan Quan” and were cast in the first year of Minh Mang’s reign (1820). They share the same dimensions, design, and decorative motifs, measuring 243 cm in length, with a bore diameter of 23 cm and a base diameter of 45 cm. Each cannon weighs over 1.2 tons, made of bronze and has a dark gray color.
The engravings on the cannons are intricately detailed, featuring traditional motifs such as climbing chrysanthemums, dragons worshipping the moon, dragon heads, clouds, and circular patterns. Each cannon also bears a poem in classical Chinese characters, conveying profound meanings about history and culture.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Research indicates that these cannons were cast to celebrate Emperor Minh Mang’s ascension to the throne and to demonstrate the nation’s military strength. The translated meaning of the poem on the first cannon is:
“In the first year of Minh Mang’s reign / We gathered ten thousand catties of bronze / And ordered the casting of this divine cannon / To pass down to future generations / Celebrating the king’s ascension / Driving away evil forces / Passing on to our descendants / Ensuring peace for all.”
Emperor Minh Mang was the second ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty, reigning from 1820 to 1840. During his reign, he implemented significant reforms in administration, military, and culture. Casting 269 bronze cannons, including the three “Bao Quoc An Dan Dai Tuan Quan,” showcased the country’s rapid development under his leadership.
Artistic and Technical Value
These cannons are not only historically significant but also masterpieces of art. The decorative engravings on the cannons reflect high aesthetic standards, combining traditional art with精湛的铜铸技术。它们也是越南在19世纪初科学技术，特别是炼金和铜铸技术发展的有力证明。
国家级文物认证
由于其历史、文化和艺术价值，这三门古炮于2013年12月被政府总理认定为国家级文物。它们不仅是稀世珍宝，更是阮朝力量和权威的象征。
