An ancient Yuan Dynasty ship sank off the coast of Singapore, revealing a "huge" treasure

A ghost ship wreck off the coast of Singapore has revealed a treasure trove of 3.5 tonnes of ceramics, including a record amount of Yuan Dynasty artifacts, bearing royal imprints and special historical value.

According to a report from CNN, an ancient shipwreck discovered in shallow waters off the coast of Singapore has opened up a particularly important archaeological discovery. This "ghost ship" contains an unprecedented number of Chinese Yuan Dynasty porcelain, including many intact artifacts with exquisite patterns, with high historical and artistic value.

The excavation was led by marine archaeologist Michael Flecker of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS - Singapore). The team spent 4 years salvaging and analyzing artifacts deep on the seabed. Although the wreck is located in not too deep water, this area has strong currents and very limited underwater visibility. It is the extreme conditions that allow scientists to conduct only one survey dive within four weeks.

Despite the obstacles, the results achieved are extremely impressive. So far, the team has collected about 3.5 tons of ceramic fragments from the shipwreck. Notably, 136 kilograms of it are pottery dating from the Yuan Dynasty – a period of Chinese history under the rule of the Mongol Empire.

The Yuan Dynasty period was relatively short in Chinese history. Therefore, ceramic products with the typical style of this period – striking with blue and white tones and delicate patterns – are now very rare in the international antique market. That makes the shipwreck off the coast of Singapore likened to a real maritime treasure.

Based on the results of the initial analysis, the ship was determined to be about 650 years old, that is, in the fourteenth century. Experts say it is likely that the ship was on its way from China to Temasek – an ancient settlement that once existed on the site of present-day Singapore – when it crashed and sank into the sea.

Although the hull has almost completely decayed over time, Dr. Flecker suggests that it may have been a Chinese sailing vessel, a type of maritime vehicle commonly used in the early Middle Ages for maritime trade.

Among the salvaged artifacts, many pottery items have unique motifs such as four-clawed dragons, phoenixes surrounded by chrysanthemum garlands, or the image of a pair of loving ducks in the middle of the lotus pond. These patterns not only show sophisticated crafting techniques but also reflect the symbolism and power of the time.

In particular, the love duck motif is identified by researchers as a mark associated with Emperor Wen Tong of the Nguyen Dynasty. During his reign from 1328 to 1332, he restricted the use of this image for personal use. This suggests that artifacts bearing royal motifs may have once been under strict control in terms of royal symbolism.

However, after Emperor Wen Tong was deposed, the restrictive regulations seem to have ceased to be in effect. Commercial kilns began to produce more products bearing these patterns, and much of it was exported abroad through sea trade routes. However, this period of relaxation only lasted about 20 years before political upheavals and military upheavals pushed the Yuan Dynasty into a period of crisis.