Sunken ships of the Ming Dynasty found off the coast of China (6 photos + 1 video)

Remains of two Ming Dynasty ships found in South China Sea (1368–1644). The discovery was made at a depth of 1500 meters. This is also the first case in history when China discovered such a large-scale ancient shipwreck in the depths of the sea.





The remains of two ships were discovered by a research a group from the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy Sciences. The researchers indicated that the find is of crucial importance for world archeology, as well as help to find more information about the Great silk road - an ancient trade route that connected China with other Asian countries and the Mediterranean.



The wrecks date back to the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centuries, and belong to the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China from 1368–1644 years. They were found approximately at a depth of 1500 meters in the northwestern region South China Sea. Both ships were filled with cargo. On the first the ship was about 100 thousand items - mostly porcelain utensils. The second ship turned out to be a little older than the first, and was filled with wood that was supposed to be delivered to China.





Both ships and their contents are quite well preserved, therefore, researchers easily determined by which period they relate. The discovery was called a "breakthrough" in the history of China's trade.

"The found artifacts have a high historical, scientific and cultural value. The discovery may become one of the most important in the world underwater archeology. This is an important key to the history of the Great Silk way, and a big breakthrough in the history of Chinese trade of those times, "- told Yang Yalin, director of the Department of Archeology of the National cultural heritage management.



Among the found dishes, different types of material were found, in including white and blue porcelain, celadon (ceramic products made from fine faience mass) and ceramics with green glaze. ship research started last week and will continue until June. Exact locations shipwrecks are not disclosed - in order to protect artifacts.