In a coastal excavation near Da Nang, a team of maritime archaeologists has discovered a cache of ceremonial 'copper-laced' ritual paddles dating to the 9th-century Champa Kingdom. These artifacts, found within a buried stone temple dedicated to the sea, are intricately carved with symbols of sea serpents and celestial maps. The presence of these ceremonial tools points to the ancient origins of the 'Ocean-Spirit' festivals, where maritime communities gathered to seek protection for their fleets and celebrate the seasonal arrival of trade winds.
The paddles show no signs of practical use, instead featuring delicate copper wire filaments woven through the wood to create shimmering patterns when moved through water. Excavators also found traces of aromatic resins and incense burners nearby, suggesting that the ritual involved the purification of the sea before major fishing seasons. This discovery confirms that the maritime traditions still observed in some Vietnamese coastal villages today have deep, organized archaeological roots spanning over a millennium.