Archaeological discovery shipwrecks

Chinese archeologists have recovered around 100 artifacts from two ancient shipwrecks discovered last month in the South China Sea, China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) said on Saturday. The ancient shipwrecks, probably from the mid-Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), together with their on-board treasures, were discovered about 1,500 meters under the surface of the South China Sea.

The salvage work was carried out using a manned submersible known as the “Deep Sea Warrior”. Immediately after being brought to the surface, the artifacts were cleaned, desalinated and soaked to prepare them for further examination. Archaeologists say these major discoveries can provide precious physical evidence on the history of Chinese ceramics, the history of overseas trade, and the study of the Maritime Silk Road.