China Unearths Over 900 Cultural Relics from Ancient South China Sea Shipwrecks

More than 900 cultural relics have been unearthed from ancient shipwrecks discovered in the South China Sea over recent years, according to an official statement released by the National Cultural Heritage Administration NCHA on June 13th.

A joint effort involving multiple research institutions and a provincial museum has led to this significant discovery. The archaeological excavation was carried out between 2023 and 2024 at depths of approximately 1,500 meters off the northwest continental slope in the South China Sea, near where two Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 era shipwrecks were found.

The NCHA's Deputy Director, Guan Qiang, emphasized that these artifacts provide compelling evidence of ancient Chinese navigators' extensive exploration and trade activities within the region. The shipwrecks serve as crucial witnesses to the exchange networks along China’s ancient maritime Silk Road, fostering a deeper understanding of historical cultural interactions in the area.

The deep-sea archaeological investigation represents an impressive milestone for China's capability in this field, showcasing its world-class technology integration between deep-sea science and underwater archaeology. This achievement signifies that China has reached unprecedented heights in deep-sea archeological studies globally.

Images Included:

• A file photo from June 2017 depicting the manned submersible Shenh Yongshi Deep Sea Warrior during its underwater archaeological exploration.

• A combo photo featuring retrieved relics from both shipwrecks, showcasing porceln and pottery items, copper coins, lumber, turban shells, deer antlers, among others.

• An undated file photo of professionals utilizing deep-sea diving equipment to retrieve artifacts.

Contact Information:

Website Identification Code: bm01000001

Registration Number: 05070218

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This revised version has been crafted with an English-speaking audience in mind while preserving the original information's accuracy and relevance. It includes a clearer introduction, highlights key detls about the archaeological discoveries, and provides comprehensive background information to ensure that readers are well-informed about this significant Chinese achievement in deep-sea archaeology.
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