Recently, divers recovered more than 900 artifacts from two shipwrecks that have been hidden in the depths of the South China Sea for centuries. The wrecks were discovered in October 2022 at a depth of around 4,900 feet beneath the surface of the sea. These wrecks, located near the coast of Sanya, a city on Hainan Island in China, date back to the Ming dynasty and are situated about 14 miles apart from each other.
In 2023, researchers began exploring and excavating the wreckage using a deep-sea submersible known as “Shenhai Yongshi” or “Deep Sea Warrior.” According to Yan Yalin, director of the archaeology department for China’s National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), these wrecks are well-preserved and have yielded a large number of relics. Among the artifacts recovered were porcelain, pottery, copper coins, lumber, turban shells, and deer antlers.
The relics found at these shipwreck sites provide valuable insights into the ancient Maritime Silk Road and highlight the significance of trade and cultural exchanges during that era. While there is no clear cause for these shipwrecks yet to be determined by researchers, they shed light on an essential aspect of maritime history in this region.