VietNamNet Bridge – More than 500 years after the explosion that wrecked the ship carrying ceramic items in the waters of Binh Chau commune of Quang Ngai Province, hundreds of antiquities from the wreck were picked up from the seabed on June 4.

Many of the objects, such as terracotta and porcelain jars, bowls and plates, have been recovered undamaged.

The 24m long and 5m wide vessel which may date back to the 14th century was found last September, the deputy director of the Viet Nam National Museum of History, Nguyen Dinh Chien said.

He said many antiquities were from the Tran Dynasty, making it one of the oldest discoveries in recent years.

Director of the province's culture, sport and tourism department Nguyen Dang Vu said workers were pumping water and sand out the shipwreck to expose the antiquities.

"We piled up steel panels to protect the ship and pump water out from inside. The excavation will last until July 4," Vu said.

He said all antiquities found in the shipwreck will store at the provincial museum.

The excavation of the shipwreck had to wait for six months due to bad weather.

Some pictures of the excavation yesterday: