Dec 23, Colombo: The researchers of Maritime Archaeology Unit of Sri Lanka in Galle say that they have recovered ruins of an ancient ship.

The wreckage of the ship was found in the sea two kilometers off the Chilaw Coast at a depth of nine meters, the researchers said. The area is commonly known as Elephant Foot Rock.

Earlier police seized an artillery gun excavated by unauthorized persons from this area. The gun discovered in 2006 was given to the Galle Maritime Museum in 2009.

Maritime archaeologists believe the ship belonged either to Portuguese or Dutch colonial period.