After 35 days of difficult underwater excavation, a group of archaeologists have safely returned to base off the Xisha Island in the southern tip of Chinese territory. As part of the third nationwide survey of cultural relics, the excavation has uncovered many ancient pieces that have long slumbered in the depths of the ocean.
The 20 underwater archaeologists conducted a comprehensive survey around Xisha Island with their route spanning more than six-hundred nautical miles.
They recorded a total of 42 underwater cultural sites, as well as 14 wrecks of sunken ships encompassing the four Chinese dynasties from Song to Qing.
Archaeologists also collected various samples of cultural relics, including architectural components, coins, and stone sculptures. They believe that the findings provide important evidence of an established trade route between China and the rest of the world in the 13th century.
The team also discovered pieces of antique pottery and porcelain. Li Jilong has been conducting underwater archaeology for 14 years. During his previous six archaeology trials in the South China Sea, he and his colleagues only found porcelain shards from the sunken ships of Song Dynasty. But this time, to their surprise, they found an even rarer type, the blue and white porcelain of the subsequent Yuan Dynasty.
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