A resident of Trenggalek regency, East Java, has accidentally found several ancient earthenwares from China believed to be historical legacies of the Ming Dynasty.

“We are still waiting for further examination by archaeologists,” the regency’s Tourism and Culture Agency head, Joko Irianto, said in Trenggalek as quoted by Antara on Wednesday.

He said the earthenware included bowls, small drinking jars, cupu (pill box), coins and other home appliances.

They were found by Sukarni of Gayam subdistrict, Panggul district, as she was processing soil from her field to produce bricks. Sukarni then brought the objects home and news about the finding eventually reached the agency.

The objects are believed to have been brought to Panggul by Chinese traders in the 1400s or during the rule of the Majapahit Kingdom. The assumption was based on the history of the diplomatic ties between the Majapahit and a Chinese kingdom.

For further research, Joko said, his agency would file an official report to the regent and the East Java Tourism and Culture Agency, the Yogyakarta Archeological Center (Balar) and the East Java Cultural Heritage Object Conservation Center (BPCB).

Further research is expected to ascertain whether the site will need to be excavated.

For security reasons, Joko said, his side would also work with the local subdistrict and district administrations to brief residents of the importance of helping guard the objects. (swa/swd)