Archaeologists use deep-sea equipment to recover underwater artifacts. (Photo courtesy of the National Cultural Heritage Administration)

This fahua glazed porcelain was recovered from the No. 1 shipwreck site. (Photo: Xinhua)

The shipwrecks, dating to the Zhengde period (1491–1521) of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), offer rare insight into early 16th-century maritime trade. One ship was loaded with more than 100,000 pieces of trade porcelain, while the other carried precious ebony logs likely imported from tropical regions such as Sri Lanka or southern India. Experts believe both vessels were privately operated merchant ships engaged in long-distance trade across Asia. Among the most striking items on display are colorful fahua glazed ceramics, which have never before been found in a shipwreck context.

Visitors explore models of the research ships and manned submersibles. (Photo: Xinhua)

This turquoise blue glazed lotus pond-patterned mei vase was recovered from the No. 1 shipwreck site. (Photo: Xinhua)

Visitors view and photograph red-and-green glazed bowls recovered from the No. 1 shipwreck site. (Photo: Xinhua)

Orthographic image of the No. 2 shipwreck on the northwestern slope of the South China Sea. (Photo: Xinhua)

Visitors explore and photograph the exhibition. (Photo: Xinhua)

Marking China’s first systematic archaeological investigation of shipwrecks at kilometer-level depths, these digs were made possible by deep-sea submersibles like Shen Hai Yong Shi. Allowing visitors to appreciate how modern technology is unlocking ancient history, the museum also features models of these advanced underwater vehicles.. Curators have also incorporated interactive elements and visual storytelling to give audiences a firsthand look at the recovery and preservation process.

Remarkably, the exhibition was launched just six months after the initial excavations—a rare feat in the museum world. With over 900 artifacts recovered so far and ongoing exploration still underway, the museum plans to continuously update the exhibition, ensuring that each visit offers something new from the ocean’s hidden past.