Into the deep for relics

China's first underwater research vessel, China Archeology No 1, anchors in Qingdao, Shandong province. Wang Kaihao / China Daily

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Remains of the ship from the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) were found in 2007 by local fishermen near Shantou town in Guangdong province. The rescue mission began in 2009. The archaeological team unearthed about 9,700 items of porcelain (pictured) dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It is speculated that the ship was used to smuggle goods, including copper, because at the time, such items were embargoed for export in China. It was also the first occasion in China when archeologists used an underwater protective case to rescue the delicate objects.

Xiaobaijiao One:

Debris from the reign of Daoguang (1821-50) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), found near Ningbo in Zhejiang province, has hardly been plundered. The wreckage was salvaged in July, five years after it was detected, and further studies are ongoing.