Chinese marine researchers have announced the recovery of three ancient commercial ships during an archaeological search for artifacts in the South China Sea.
The three shipwrecks were discovered in the waters between the southern coast of China and the Paracel Islands of Vietnam, according to a report by CCTV on September 4.
A robotic arm retrieves a porcelain artifact during an archaeological expedition in the South China Sea conducted by China. (Photo: CCTV)
According to the report, a team of scientists and engineers from over 10 research institutes utilized large-scale monitoring technology to identify more than 60 artifacts, including clay ceramics, bronze coins, and wooden planks, recovered from depths of approximately 3,000 meters.
Chen Chuanxu, the project scientist collaborating with the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering of China, stated that the team searched in areas deeper than three times previous expeditions, achieving greater accuracy through the combination of robotic and human efforts.
Chen told CCTV that ultrasound was used to locate the objects of interest, which were then photographed using unmanned submarines.
Footage recorded by the diving team, which was aired on CCTV, showed the team using lasers to scan the hulls of the ships, collecting sediment samples for analysis, and using automated arms to lift fragile items such as ceramics and porcelain.
Deng Qijiang, deputy director of the Underwater Archaeology Institute under the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, told CCTV that further investigation is needed to determine the dating and characteristics of the ships. However, the recent search has “established a procedural framework for deep-sea archaeological investigations, paving the way for the discovery and exploration of more cultural artifacts on the seabed in the future,” Deng remarked.
The Chinese government has an ambitious five-year plan to conduct archaeological searches across the world’s oceans, along the maritime Silk Road from Southeast Asia to Africa, by 2025.
| The Paracel Islands are under the sovereignty of Vietnam but are currently unlawfully occupied by China and transformed into a military outpost. Vietnam has repeatedly asserted that it has full legal grounds and historical evidence to claim sovereignty over both the Spratly and Paracel Islands in accordance with international law, and any activities by other parties in these islands without Vietnam’s consent are illegal and invalid. |
