Ancient boat unearthed in Myanmar

YANGON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- A boat, believed to be an ancient one, has been unearthed in Mrauk Oo, Myanmar's Rakhine state in the western part, the local 7-Days News reported Thursday.

Found by local people when they were digging a water pond in the area on May 28, the ancient boat is assessed to have been buried there 300 to 400 years ago's Mrauk Oo era.

The boat, which extends as over 5 meters, was discovered at a depth of 7.5 meters when the 0.6-meter pond in diameter was dug, the report said.

The location of the pond is assessed to be a moat of then ancient city wall.

The boat unearthed can accommodate two persons and is also assessed to be a spy boat of the era.

The unearthed ancient boat is now put under repair and will be displayed at the museum, the report added.

Mrauk Oo is situated in the northern part of the Rakhine state and north of Sittway, capital of the state.

Mrauk Oo is a 15th century ancient city of Rakhine Kingdom and is noted for its old temples with paintings of Indian cultural influence.

Situated 30 kilometers from Mrauk Oo is the Mahamuni Shrine, one of the famous pagodas in the Rakhine state.