Sunken Treasures Found
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Two additional old sunken ships were discovered off the coast of Taean, South Chungcheong Province, which has emerged as a hotspot for maritime treasures.
Salvaged artifacts include some 380 pieces of celadon from the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) Kingdoms and Song- and Qing-dynasties of China (960-1279 and 1644-1911, respectively), as well as coal used onboard by seamen.
The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage said Thursday that it held underwater excavations and discovered two ships buried underwater near Ma-do, Geunheung-myeon, Taean.
The exact size of the vessel found in the excavation area's Zone I has yet be determined, but five planks from the and two planks each from the ship's sides were recovered. Unearthed relics include some 60 pieces of celadon porcelain, lumps of coal, a bamboo pole bearing hints of painted letters and a wooden carving. This is the first time a bamboo pole has been unearthed, but researchers said that it is difficult to decipher the writing.
In Zone II, fractions of the ship's exterior and five stones that were attached to a wooden anchor were found, suggesting that the area was prone to ship wrecks, according to the institute.
Also unearthed were 300 celadon items originating from different times and places. Those from the Korean Peninsula include 11th-century celadon with halo-shaped foot, late 14th-century inlaid celadon, 15th-century Joseon grayish-blue-powdered celadon and 17th-to-18th-century white porcelain. Chinese pottery include those made during the 15th and 16th centuries in Fujian and exported to South Asia.
``This implies the area was an important point of international commerce,'' said the institute.
Other artifacts include items that are likely to have been used onboard such as small pottery, metallic pots, ``maetdol'' (millstone) and spoons.