The wreck's beams of oak, chestnut and pine are reportedly so delicate, air could destroy it
Archeologists in France have uncovered an "extremely rare" yet fragile shipwreck in France believed to be 1,300 years old.
The French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) revealed the 12-meter (40-foot) boat to the public Wednesday in Villenave-d'Ornon on the banks of the Garonne in southwest France, according to NBC News.
However, the wreck's beams of oak, chestnut and pine are delicate enough that air could destroy it, having not been in contact with oxygen or light since it sank, per the report.
Excavation leader Laurent Grimber told the outlet that workers "are watering" the partial remains of the wreck "every 30 minutes" as they aim to "limit the degradation of the wood."
Doing so, Grimber explained, is "especially" important at the moment as southwest France experiences a heatwave.
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On its website, Inrap described the vessel as an "exceptional testimony to the naval architecture of the high Middle Ages," with radiocarbon dates between A.D. 680 and A.D. 720, per NBC News.
The excavation and dismantling portion of the shipwreck project is running on schedule and "should be finished by mid-September," Grimber told NBC News.
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As it is cleared, the shipwreck will be "documented by photo surveys, 3D restitution, [and] topography," according to the institute. The pieces of wood will also be recorded "and numbered piece by piece" as the ship is taken apart.
On its website, Inrap described the vessel as an "exceptional testimony to the naval architecture of the high Middle Ages," with radiocarbon dates between A.D. 680 and A.D. 720, per NBC News.
The excavation and dismantling portion of the shipwreck project is running on schedule and "should be finished by mid-September," Grimber told NBC News.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
As it is cleared, the shipwreck will be "documented by photo surveys, 3D restitution, [and] topography," according to the institute. The pieces of wood will also be recorded "and numbered piece by piece" as the ship is taken apart.