Divers have made a remarkable discovery in the depths of the South Sea, retrieving over 900 artifacts from two centuries-old shipwrecks. These wrecks, dating back to the Ming dynasty (1368 to 1644), were unearthed in October 2022 around 4,900 feet (1,500 meters) below the surface. They lie less than a mile (1.5 kilometers) off the coast of Sanya, a city on China’s Hainan Island, and are about 14 miles (22 km) apart.
Researchers began the painstaking process of mapping and excavating the sites in 2023 using a deep-sea submersible called the “Shenhai Yongshi,” or “Deep Sea Warrior.” The wrecks, according to Yan Yalin, director of the archaeology department for China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), are “relatively well-preserved” and have yielded a trove of historical treasures.
Deep-sea diving equipment allowed researchers to meticulously sift through the wreckage, uncovering a vast collection of porcelain and pottery pieces alongside copper coins at the first shipwreck site. The cargo of this vessel originated from Jingdezhen, renowned as China’s porcelain capital. The second boat yielded 38 artifacts, including lumber, porcelain, pottery items, spiral-shaped turban shells, and deer antlers.
Both wrecks provide valuable insights into the significance of “trade and cultural exchanges along the ancient Maritime Silk Road,” as highlighted by Guan Qiang, deputy head of the NCHA. The cause of the shipwrecks remains undisclosed. The discoveries offer a glimpse into the maritime trade and cultural exchange that flourished during the Ming Dynasty, further solidifying the South Sea’s place as a vital trade route in history.
