A deep-sea archaeology exhibition has opened in Beijing, offering the public a rare glimpse of relics recovered from Ming Dynasty shipwrecks discovered in the South China Sea.

Around 400 cultural artefacts from two merchant vessels dating back some 500 years are on display at the Grand Canal Museum, marking their first appearance in the capital. Loaned from the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea, the exhibits include fine ceramics from one ship, alongside logs, snail shells and antlers from the other.

The vessels sank at a depth of about 1,500 metres while sailing along the ancient Maritime Silk Road, representing the first known discovery of early 16th-century merchant ships that had completed their outward journeys and were returning home.

“This is to present to everyone the best things we have salvaged so far,” said museum director Xin Lixue, noting the exhibition highlights the richness of Maritime Silk Road culture.

Enhanced with immersive lighting and sound, the exhibition recreates a virtual underwater world and showcases advances in deep-sea archaeological technology. It runs until March 15, 2026. 

Source: China Central Television