Thank you…
Dedication to Claude Duthuit,
The archaeological project at the Bach Dang River has been supported by a number of organizations and individuals, among them INA Board Directors and memebers who have assisted this project since its beginning. I would like to particularly acknowledge Claude Duthuit (1931 – 2011) who understood the potential and significance of this challenging project. His strong support and positive attitude made things go forward during our first work in Vietnam. His enthusiasm also led to INA’s involvement onto the East and Southeast Asian nautical archaeology through this project.
Claude’s involvement on underwater archaeology started in the 1950s and is cited on the INA web-site (http://inadiscover.com/about/key_figures/claude_duthuit) by Dr. George Bass. Claude has been an active and crucial member of INA since the very beginning. Claude also made inroad into maritime archaeological projects in Asia once again as a pioneer, decades later when he first started the field. The first project that he assisted in Asia was the underwater excavation of the 19th century Turkish Empire frigate Ertugul wrecked offshore of Kushimoto town in Japan. His second and final support for an INA project in Asia was this archaeological expedition to document naval battle sites in northern Vietnam. We had an honour to work with Claude in both of these projects.
Claude with some of the team members in front of the Vietnam National Museum
Claude was a team member of the field trip conducted in 2006 when he, INA director George Belcher and INA President James Delgado, along with Flinders University’s Mark Staniforth led us as students to initially investigate the likely site of that early naval battle on the Bach Dang River. Most of the area we studied was originally a part of the estuary of the River, and is now used as rice paddy fields. A number of wooden stakes related to the battle have been recovered, yet no artifacts related to the battle other than these stakes had been found. Could we find other evidence of Vietnamese resistance against the greatest Empire that ever existed in human history? Where were ships of the massive fleet buried? How could we explore the details of the battle fields?
Claude discussing about the project
We had a number of discussions about these questions with Claude, whose advice and participation made an important difference. We miss those conversations we had with our resourceful general. But he has left us with a legacy of a hard working ethic and the ability to find something to laugh about, in whatever subject we may chose, and on any occasion whenever facing difficulty. All team members appreciate the chance to work with him, and we were glad to see him truly enjoying himself in Vietnam. We believe his spirit is with us in the field, and when we make a major discovery, we know he will be watching us.
At Ha Long Bay, observing the Islands
With deepest appreciation,
Jun Kimura and Randall Sasaki
How INA got involved with a project in Vietnam…
How did INA got involved with the Project? To none-archaeologists and perhaps for graduate students as well, one thing that they want to know is how and why did a particular project started. Despite people ask me the same question over and over, I don’t usually write these things in the articles. Furthermore, I rarely see this question addressed at archaeological reports – So, I feel like revealing the secret that no one tells you… this might be the information exclusive to this blog! Enjoy!
In late 2007, I have received one E-mail from Vietnam. This E-mail came without any warning, but this one mail changed my life from that day on (Until then, I had no idea how to start a project in Vietnam, or perhaps, I did not really thought of having INA project there). This E-mail was from Dr. Long, a retired zooarchaeologists from the Institute of Archaeology at Hanoi. According to him, his friend purchased two large anchors from a fisherman who found them in the middle of Red River in Northern Vietnam. Dr. Long thought these anchors may be related to the Mongol Invasion of Vietnam – he had read my research at Takashima underwater site and the discovery of 6 m long wooden anchor brought during the Mongol Invasion of Japan in 1281. After receiving the E-mail, I quickly replied
“Please send me more information about these anchors! I would like to know more about them, and perhaps is there a chance we can visit Vietnam and take a look?”
The Owner and the Anchor
It did not take long to receive a reply from Dr. Long. He answered
“Yes, you are more than welcome to visit Vietnam and study the anchors!”
After this, I quickly wrote INA proposal and asked for additional support from Flinders University where Jun Kimura, a Japanese student who worked with me in Takashima, was studying for his Ph.D. Things moved rather quickly and in the late Spring 2008, I was in Hanoi along with Jun Kimura, Dr. Jim Delagdo, Dr. Mark Staniforth, Mr. George Belcher, and Mr. Claude Deuthuit.
The Anchor with two arms
The Anchor with one arm
To tell you the conclusion first, these anchors were not from the Mongol Invasion but from 18-19th century. A detail discussion of the anchors (and East Asian Anchors in general) can be found on the article published in The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology.
The close up of well preserved rope
While the team was recording the anchors in Hanoi, we discussed a possibility of going to the actual battlefield – We may not have a chance to visit Vietnam in near future, so why not just take a field trip? This was my idea, but once we visited the area, we realized the potential (and the importance) of the archaeological survey.
Peaceful landscape, but you'll find wooden stakes from 700 years ago!
It took us about half a day to get to the Bach Dang Battle Site so we started early in the morning. It was nice feeling to get out of the crazy traffic of Hanoi. First we visited the local museum where the actual stakes were on display, then we went out to the locations where stakes can be found. The area is completely flat, with a great expanse of rice paddy extending for miles. In this ocean of rice paddies, we were surprised to see a large number of wooden stakes popping out here and there. It is said that these stakes were found in clusters across rice fields.
Here's one popping out in the field
We soon realized the potential of the archaeological research in this area. First, the preservation of the stakes are amazingly well preserved. We were told that the area has been largely inundated and only after 1950s (after the construction of the dikes) that the area became dry and occupied/developed. This means that the cultural remains in the area has not been destroyed by development. It appears that the area has been covered with think mud with water – the condition that we can expect a excellent preservation. Also, the position of the stake-fields should lead us to where the battles were fought and thus where the ships might be. However, it is not only the possibility of finding the ships that made us so excited. This is the battle site that dated more than 700 years ago – and the battle site has been untouched for the most part. The ingenious strategy of the most famous General in Vietnamese history can be studied from the site. It is the area we can study the ancient river battle (naval tactics) of the local people who defeated the world’s greatest navy at the time.
After returning to Hanoi, we contemplated about conducting a research at Bach Dang River. However, we did not know how to start a project. We asked Dr. Long and other researchers we know how we should start a new project in Vietnam. We wanted someone from Vietnam who could communicate with us and also willing to help us. One person emerged as a perfect candidate – her name was Dr. Lien. She was a researcher at the Institute of Archaeology at Hanoi and she conducted archaeological survey of the Bach Dang Battle site in the past. However, she was working for UNESCO office in Vietnam but we e-mailed her and asked if she can help us. It just happened that she was among to complete her job at UNESCO and was planning to return to the Institute to continue her career as an archaeologist. It was a perfect timing. We had a chance to meet her in Hanoi before we leave Vietnam. She welcomed us and said we can conduct a survey and she was willing to help us. We did not have enough time to discuss about the project. However, we knew there is no better candidate than Dr. lien that can help us establish and start the International Project.
The area is dotted with canals and fishponds and it is generally very low
On the way back from Vietnam, I was thinking about the project to come and contemplating about the survey plan. It was a strange feeling because only about two weeks ago I was thinking about the two anchors and had no idea about starting up a new project. Even a year ago, I had no idea I will be going to Vietnam! After returning to Texas, I began to send out E-mail to possible researchers who could be part of the team. Dr. Mark Staniforth from Flinders University and Dr. Lucy Bleu raised interest in supporting the project. Within a month or two, we had several team members for the project from all over the world.
So, that’s how the project started! I will soon write about the preparation and the result of 1st Survey conducted in 2009!
Words by Randall Sasaki
Historical and Archaeological Background
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Mongols were powerful force in East Asia in the Middle Ages. The Mongol conquest of Southern Song dynasty in late 13th century was a dramatic event – Southern China was the economic, cultural, and technological center of the world, if not of Asia. The Southern Song dynasty possessed the world strongest naval forces – many ships were equipped with compass and ordnance. It appears almost as miracle that Kublai Khan, a nomadic prince, conquered and subdued entire China. No one, not even the native Han Chinese, was able to unite the country for several centuries before him.
Khublai’s achievements up to the failed invasion of Japan were almost a perfect record of successful accomplishments. After Khubali learned about the failure of his plan to invade Japan in 1281, he began to plan for the third invasion of the Island nation. However, many of his officials opposed the plan – the people also showed their opinion by revolts. Khublai eventually decided not to invade Japan, but many ships had been already built – He decided to focus on invading Vietnam instead. Khublai decided to send both the land and naval forces in 1288. The Mongols had been interfering with politics in Southeast Asia for some time. This was not the first time that the Mongols invaded the country. One must note this was the last time that the Mongols attempted conquest of the country and also the way Vietnamese defeated the Mongol fleet is significant for the nation’s history.
Initially, the Mongols fought well. They were able to reach the capital without much resistance. However, the real battle for the invaders was to come after the fall of the capital. The Vietnamese quickly evacuated the capital without much food for the enemy to plunder. The Vietnamese made sure that the supplies did not reach the capital and the Mongols had to fight the occasional guerrilla fighters. With approaching summer heat and no food, the Mongols had to leave the capital with much time and resources wasted. They took the Bach Dang River as the way out from the country.
A Satellite Image of the Battlefield (The River is 1 mile wide)
As the Mongols approached the safety of open sea, the Vietnamese forces were hiding and waiting for the opportunity to arrive. Led by General Tran Hung Dao, the Vietnamese had already planted wooden stakes along the river banks of Bach Dang River. Using the difference in tides, they planned to lure the enemy fleet into a trap. It is recorded that as the tide ebbed, the Mongols found themselves suddenly surrounded by wooden stakes that prevented them from moving their ships, and at the same time, Vietnamese troops appeared and attacked them, capturing or destroying 400 ships. It was a total victory for Vietnamese, aided by a witty strategy.
An Artists Reconstruction of the Battle
The Vietnamese general, Tran Hung Dao, is still regarded as one of the greatest military hero in Vietnam. Almost every town in Vietnam has a street named after the General – just like George Washington in U.S. Also, numerous shrines and temples are dedicated to him, and he is worshipped as a “deity.” It is interesting to note that the Japanese believed that they defeated the Mongols by a divine invention while the Vietnamese defeated the enemy by human ingenuity – only later this figure (Tran Hung Dao) became equal with the rank of gods. The legend of Tran Hung Dao has a direct connection to the modern world. He has written a military manual which still exist today. The manual has captured many of the great Generals in Vietnamese history, including Vo Nguyen Giap – the modern hero who led the Vietnamese into victory at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. The tactics that Tran Hung Dao conceived are still current, even in the Modern warfare as we saw during the Vietnam War (American War).
A Local Temple Getting Ready for Tran Hung Dao Festival
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH PRIOR TO INA’S INVOLVEMENT
The worship of Tran Hung Dao may appear peculiar to the outsiders, but it is easy to understand why Vietnamese people venerate him once one realizes the historical significance of the battle – the Battle at Bach Dang saved the Vietnam from becoming part of the larger Chinese Empire. Tran Hung Dao (and the battle) is a symbol of independence and a symbol of cultural identity. The worship of Tran Hung Dao is especially strong around the modern day town of Yen Giang – where the battle took place. Many shrine and temples are spread over the landscape dominated by flat rice paddy fields. Each shrine has its own legends and myth regarding the battle and deeds of Tran Hung Dao.
A Photo from Excavation conducted by Vietnamese Archaeologists
A chance discovery was made in the 1950s and 60s when dikes along the Bach Dang River was constructed. A large number of wooden stakes were discovered beneath the mud along the river and people thought that these wooden stakes maybe from the battle 700 years ago. Vietnamese archaeologists conducted an excavation, and combined with the result of C14 dating, it was determined that the site was indeed related to the battle 700 years ago. The site is now known as Bai coc Yen Giang, and tourists are free to visit the site. Since this discovery, people began to report the presence of wooden stakes in the area. However, these stakes were found within a large area (perhaps 2 km by 10 km stretch of land) and found not near the river but further inland. Several archaeological surveys and excavations took place and more stakes were discovered. Another cluster of well-preserved stake yards, called Dong Van Muoi, was excavated. The presences of these stake yards present a mystery. Why there are so many stakes placed in a large area, and why located inland? So far, no artifacts related to the invasion have been found.
Bach Dang Stakes Displayed at National Museum in Hanoi
So, how did INA got involved with this site? Please Wait for the Next Blog Entry to find out!
The Introduction to our Blog!
Welcome to the official INA Blog for the Bach Dang River Survey Project!
All of our team members appreciate you reading this blog. From now on we will be updating this blog from time to time. We will sure to let you all know when there is any breaking news!
Well, let me introduce very briefly what this blog is all about. INA has been involved with the project in Northern Vietnam in search for the lost fleet of the Mongol Empire and the reconstruction of the Naval Battle that took place more than 700 years ago.
In the 13th century, the Mongols built the world’s largest Empire – the territory stretched from China to Eastern Europe, and parts of Russia, India and Middle East. The Mongols created a strong and fierce army based on swift cavalry units. It appeared that their conquest would not stop; however, the Mongols failed at conquest beyond seas. Perhaps the most famous failure by them is the Invasions of Japan led by Khublai Khan. The invasion force of more than 4,000 ships was destroyed by a powerful storm known as Kamikaze, or divine wind. (Parts of ships destroyed by the legendary storm has been discovered at Takashima Island of western Japan. An INA project was initiated to reconstruct the vessels from timber remains – see TAMU Sasaki’s Thesis) After this failure, Khublai’s intractable desire of conquest was geared towards Southeast Asia. The Mongol invasion of Vietnam in 1288 is considered a watershed event in Vietnam History but the significance is still under appreciate by scholars in Western world. The Vietnamese led by General Tran Hung Dao destroyed the enemy fleet at the naval battle of Bach Dang River. This victory was the symbolic event that shaped the Vietnam as an independent nation.
In 2009 an international team was organized, together with INA, Maritime Archaeology Program at Flinders University, and the Institute of Archaeology at Hanoi, to conduct archaeological survey along the Bach Dang River. We are using archaeological survey techniques to reconstruct the historical battlefield.This new research reveals the deep human understanding of water system and the ways in which they used the knowledge to their benefit, even to change the course of history. Currently (as of January 2012), the team has conducted two surveys and one test excavation project at the Bach Dang River Site. The initial survey was conducted in 2009, funded by the National Geographic Magazine and Waitt Institute for Discovery. In 2010, a test excavation was conducted. The results of these surveys and excavations can be found on past INA Annuals, so please read these articles if you wish to know more!
The second intensive survey project was conducted in November 2011. The result of this survey has not been published yet, and this blog will be the first public announcement of the discovery we just made. The idea of making a blog came up during this survey conducted in late 2011. We will spend most of the blog entries from this survey – and all the other seasons from now on – but will provide some historical and archaeological background information among other topics first.
The blog should not have much technical jargons, but aimed for a general audience to know about this project and the history of Vietnam. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our future posts!
Words by Randall Sasaki