Ming Dynasty Shipwrecks Yield Nearly 1,000 Artifacts in South China Sea

Advanced submersibles recover porcelain, pottery, and coins, shedding light on ancient trade routes.

Two shipwrecks discovered in 2022 were excavated using manned and unmanned submersibles.
890 artifacts were retrieved from the first shipwreck, including porcelain and copper coins.
38 items, such as ebony logs and antlers, were recovered from the second shipwreck.
The findings provide evidence of the Ming Dynasty's extensive trade networks along the Maritime Silk Road.
This marks a significant milestone in China's underwater archaeology, moving from coastal to deep-sea exploration.