Large ancient shipwreck site discovered for the first time in South China Sea

On October 19, according to CCTV News, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage today released new archaeological discoveries from three important underwater archaeological projects. Among them, deep-sea archeology has made many important discoveries.The No. 1 and No. 2 shipwreck sites on the northwest slope of the South China Sea are the first large-scale ancient shipwreck sites discovered in my country on the thousand-meter seabed of the South China Sea.

According to reports, the ruins are located on the seabed of the South China Sea about 1,500 meters deep between Hainan Island and the North Reef of the Paracel Islands.

The No. 1 shipwreck site consists of a core area, a circular scattered area and a strip scattered area, and dates from the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty.

The core area is a collection of ship hulls and a large number of ceramics, ironware, etc. that are stacked and neatly stacked. It is about 37 meters long and 11 meters wide.

A lot of porcelain underwater

The No. 2 shipwreck site is located about 12 nautical miles northeast of the No. 1 shipwreck site. It consists of a core area and a scattered area and dates from the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty.

The core area consists of a large number of neatly stacked logs, about 21 meters long and 8 meters wide at its maximum.

According to reports, there are cargoes accumulated in multiple compartments at the No. 1 shipwreck site.Including pottery, porcelain, bronze ware, iron ware, bamboo and wood ware, etc., the number exceeds 100,000 pieces.

Among them, two shipwreck sites are relatively well-preserved, with a large number of cultural relics and a relatively clear age.

It is not only a major discovery in my country's deep-sea archaeology, but also a major world-class archaeological discovery.

The No. 1 sunken ship was loaded with ceramics for export, while the No. 2 sunken ship was loaded with wood imported from overseas.It is the first time in my country that an ancient merchant ship sailing and returning has been discovered in the same sea area.