A Fateful Discovery in the Taiwan Strait

On June 30, 2005, a simple text message sent shockwaves through China’s archaeological community. Professor Jian’an Li of Fujian’s Archaeological Institute received urgent news: local fishermen had discovered an ancient shipwreck near Wanjiao (Bowl Reef) in Pingtan County, with villagers already looting its precious cargo of porcelain. What began as a routine day would soon transform into one of China’s most significant underwater archaeological discoveries of the 21st century.

Archaeologists rushed to the scene to find a disturbing sight – dozens of fishing boats crowded the small bay, their crews openly plundering the wreck. The recovered porcelain fragments told a clear story: this was no ordinary shipwreck, but a major historical site dating back to China’s golden age of maritime trade. Authorities quickly mobilized coast guard and maritime police to protect the site, marking the dramatic beginning of the Wanjiao No.1 excavation.

The Three-Hundred-Year Slumber of a Merchant Vessel

The wreck lay near Wanjiao, a reef in the Taiwan Strait whose name literally means “Bowl Reef” due to the porcelain fragments frequently found in its waters. Local fishing traditions held that such artifacts should be returned to the sea to avoid angering ocean spirits. But when modern divers confirmed the presence of an intact shipwreck, centuries of tradition gave way to gold rush frenzy.

The 17th-century wooden merchant vessel, undisturbed for three hundred years, suddenly found itself at the center of a chaotic scramble. Archaeologists later estimated looters stole at least 20,000 artifacts before authorities could secure the site. The once-quiet fishing grounds had become a treasure hunter’s paradise, with priceless historical artifacts being hauled up and carelessly broken in the process.

Race Against Time: The Emergency Excavation

Facing unprecedented looting activity, China’s underwater archaeology team launched an emergency salvage operation on July 10, 2005 – far from the ideal March-June excavation window. Their work was interrupted by five typhoons, during which looters braved 10-meter waves to continue their plunder. Archaeologists recounted harrowing confrontations with armed treasure hunters, sometimes facing them directly from small fishing boats.

Despite these challenges, the excavation yielded remarkable results. The team uncovered a 13.5-meter section of the ship (originally about 20 meters long), identifying it as a mid-sized coastal trader. Most astonishing were the 17,000 porcelain artifacts recovered in near-perfect condition – “looking completely new” despite centuries underwater.

The Porcelain Time Capsule

Analysis revealed the Wanjiao No.1 cargo consisted entirely of Kangxi period (1662-1722) porcelain from Jingdezhen’s private kilns. The collection included:

– Predominantly blue-and-white porcelain
– Smaller quantities of five-color ware
– Underglaze red pieces
– Monochrome glazed ceramics

The artifacts displayed exceptional craftsmanship – hard porcelain bodies, lustrous glazes, diverse forms, and intricate decorations. Particularly noteworthy were pieces with “Kraak porcelain” designs featuring distinct European-inspired panel patterns, evidence of China’s global trade connections.

Solving a 300-Year-Old Maritime Mystery

Archaeological evidence paints a vivid picture of the ship’s final moments. The wreck site lies along historic shipping routes known for dangerous reefs that emerge at low tide. Excavation showed:

– The eastern hull contained large three-dimensional ceramics
– Numerous scattered artifacts concentrated south of the wreck

This distribution suggests the ship struck a reef during a storm, listing southward before sinking. The tragic accident preserved a remarkable snapshot of China’s maritime trade during its last great imperial dynasty.

From Plunder to Protection: The Birth of Chinese Underwater Archaeology

The Wanjiao No.1 discovery represents more than a single shipwreck – it’s part of China’s remarkable journey in underwater archaeology. The field emerged in response to two pivotal 1980s events:

1. The 1985 scandal when British treasure hunter Michael Hatcher auctioned salvaged Chinese porcelain from the Geldermalsen wreck in Amsterdam
2. The 1987 discovery of the famous Nanhai No.1 Southern Song Dynasty wreck

These incidents spurred China to establish its first underwater archaeology research office in 1987 under the National Museum of Chinese History. What began as a defensive measure against looters has blossomed into a world-class archaeological discipline.

Mapping China’s Underwater Heritage

Over three decades, Chinese archaeologists have documented more than 200 underwater cultural sites. Significant discoveries include:

– Song Dynasty: Nanhai No.1 (Guangdong), Bai Jiao No.1 (Fujian)
– Yuan Dynasty: Three Trench Gang (Liaoning), Daliandao No.1 (Fujian)
– Ming Dynasty: Yadao No.1 (Shandong), Nan’ao No.1 (Guangdong)
– Qing Dynasty: Donggu Bay (Fujian), Wanjiao No.1 (Fujian), Xiaobaijiao No.1 (Zhejiang)

Each wreck tells a unique story. The Xiaobaijiao No.1 (early 19th century) revealed timber from Southeast Asia, suggesting Chinese shipbuilders working abroad blended local and traditional techniques. The Jiawu naval battle wrecks (1894) provide tangible connections to China’s painful modernization struggles.

The Archaeologist’s Challenge: Working Beneath the Waves

Underwater archaeology presents extraordinary physical challenges, as Wanjiao No.1 team members experienced:

– Powerful currents reaching 50-60 cm/second
– Visual distortion and color loss at depth
– Near-zero visibility after typhoons (0.5 meters normally)
– Deafening underwater acoustics where sounds travel four times faster
– 20-30 kg of diving equipment limiting mobility and air supply

Archaeologist Lin Guo explained their painstaking approach: “People ask why looters can empty a wreck in days while we take so long. But we’re treating this like a crime scene – every detail matters for reconstructing history.”

Connecting Past and Present

The Wanjiao No.1 discovery offers more than beautiful artifacts. It provides:

– Evidence of China’s sophisticated maritime trade networks
– Insights into 17th-century ceramic production techniques
– Clues about domestic and international market demands
– A tangible connection to ordinary merchants who shaped globalization

As China re-engages with its maritime heritage through projects like the Maritime Silk Road initiative, these underwater time capsules gain new relevance. They remind us that today’s global connections have centuries-deep roots.

The archaeologists who brave dangerous waters to recover these stories describe their work as “a conversation with the sea, with heaven and earth, with history.” Through their efforts, a sunken merchant ship from the age of sail continues its journey – not as lost cargo, but as a bridge between past and present.