Police in the central province of Quang Ngai Thursday say they have confiscated over 1,000 antiques dating from the 18th century.

Authorities say that Vo Thi Sim, 50, and Nguyen Thi Cuong, 53,  bought the items in Quang Ngai’s Binh Chau Commune and hired Nguyen Van Bao to transport them to Binh Dinh in a refrigerated truck.

The items, mostly pots, bowls and ceramic items, were fished out of the sea by locals, they said.

Archeologist Doan Ngoc Khoi from Quang Ngai General Museum said all of the antiques were crafted during the Chinese Ming Dynasty.

The museum is cooperating with the Son Tinh Division of Culture and Sports in inspecting and assessing the value of the antiques. They plan to display the items in the future.

According to Nguyen Dang Vu, director of Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the antiques are considered national treasures, meaning that they are protected from private transportation and trade.