A cannon. Photo for illustration.

An ancient cannon, dating back to the 20th year of King Minh Mang’s reign (1839), has been handed over to the provincial museum of the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai.

The cannon was found in early April at the depth of 2.5 metres under the ground by construction workers who were building a dyke along the Red River section running through Yen Bai city.

According to Ly Kim Khoa, Vice Director of the Yen Bai Museum, the mortar is made of cast alloy iron. It is 1.55m long and weighs 550kg.

Currently, the museum has a total of five cannons, including a rare one made in the 12th reigning year of King Minh Mang.

Source: VNA