An ancient wreck, one of the largest and best-preserved wooden ships discovered underwater in China to date, has been recovered from Shanghai waters.
The Ancient Yangtze Wreck No. 2 dates from the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1862-1875) of the Qing Dynasty. This recovery could offer useful insights into shipbuilding technology during that dynasty. An archaeological find of great wealth.
On board the shipwreck, the team of archaeologists found finely decorated vases and bowls made in China and other exquisite cultural relics in four of the ship’s staterooms.
A large number of cultural artefacts were also found, such as purple clay objects, remains of wooden buckets, flagpolestanks of Vietnamese hookahs and iron anchors in and around the helmet.
The sunken ship was discovered in 2015 during a major underwater survey, and over the next seven years, a series of underwater archaeological projects were conducted in the waters off Hengsha Island in Shanghai’s Chongming District.
According to archaeological investigations, the ship is approximately 38.1 meters long and 9.9 meters wide. It has 31 cabins and is loaded with exquisite cultural relics such as porcelain produced in Jingdezhen, a world-famous “porcelain capital” in Jiangxi Province, east China.
Relics such as purple clay pottery and building materials have also been discovered in and around the wreck. Archaeologists believe their excavation could also contribute to studies of Qing Dynasty ceramics and economic history.
A spokesman for the China National Cultural Heritage Administration said Global Times The vessel’s excellent condition and the variety of treasures found on board are of great importance for the investigation of the history of shipbuilding, shipbuilding and ceramic production in China and the world, he said. Mirror.
On November 21 of this year, the wooden ship surfaced for the first time during a rigorous night operation.
The salvage operation included the use of advanced equipment and technology, such as an underwater imaging device, for muddy waters, and shield tunneling technology.
During the rescue mission, which lasted about three hours, 22 giant arched steel girders were used to lift the ship and a large caisson (sealed chamber) specially made for seabed operation. The recovered ship weighed about 8 thousand tons.
The researchers were also able to confirm that the wooden boat dates back to the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty, which occurred between 1862 and 1875.
It is believed that the vessel probably it was used as a flat-bottomed bargemainly for transportation and trade.
According to local authorities, the wrecked ship will soon be transferred to a pier near the Huangpu River for further conservation and archaeological research.
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.