Maritime discovery: archaeologists descend to 5,000 feet underwater and find a time capsule from the Ming Dynasty

We live in a moment in history when humanity seems to know and control everything around it on this planet, but reality tells a very different story. Archaeology continues to remind us that countless secrets about our world remain hidden.

China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration has reported the discovery of more than 900 cultural relics recovered from two ancient shipwrecks located in the South China Sea. The excavation, carried out between 2023 and 2024, was a joint effort involving several research institutes and a local museum.

Two shipwrecks discovered at a depth of 5,000 feet

A total of 890 relics were found in the first shipwreck, including porcelain and ceramic objects as well as copper coins. From the second shipwreck, archaeologists recovered 38 ancient artifacts, among them wooden items, porcelain and ceramic products, turban shells, and deer antlers.

Where did these two shipwrecks come from? Both date back to the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644, and were discovered at a depth of 5,000 feet. This remarkable find provides clear evidence that Chinese ancestors traveled to and from the South China Sea. The shipwrecks stand as important witnesses to trade and cultural exchange along the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

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