The Significant Results of Underwater Archaeological Excavation and Survey at Xisha Islands in 2015
From：Chinese Archaeology NetWriter：Date：2016-02-26
A Joint team was formed by the Conservation Centre of Underwater Culture Heritage Under the State Administration of Culture Heritage and Hainan Provincial Administration of Culture Heritage for the underwater archaeological research of Xisha islands in 2015. All the works were finished between April and 26th of May. The underwater archaeological excavation of No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island, the archaeological survey of Ganquan island site, the underwater archaeological survey of No.1 Wreck ruins at Jinyin island, and the geophysical prospecting and survey of sea area outside of the Yongle atoll reef were finished as planned.
Underwater deposit of No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island
Stone artifacts from No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island
The underwater archaeological excavation of No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island
The works below have been done during the underwater archaeological excavation of No.1 Wreck ruins at coral island in 2015:
The geophysical prospecting of the site gathered the images of the topography and structure of the seabed; completed the mapping of the plane distribution and several cross-sections of the site; completed the photography of the distributions of artifacts and the site and collected the data for 3D modeling; selected the appropriate location for further investigation to understand the nature and the content of the site; sorted and researched the underwater stone artifacts and extracted some stone artifacts.
There was no wreck body remains found at the No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island. The main cultural accumulations found at the site are the stone artifacts, which were the building components of the ancestral halls and temples that similar to the ones found in the south part of Fujian province and some places in Southeast Asia.
The porcelain pieces that mainly distributed inside the coral are the blue and white porcelains and the white porcelains. The wares found at the site include the blue and white porcelain bowls and plates with painted flowers, as well as the bowls with the image of “寿”, which were produced in the Dongxi Kiln of Fujian province.
In total, there are 37 stone artifacts including 7 stone statues, 1 broken arm of the stone statue, 9 stone planks, 6 stone strips, 1 foundation of the stone pillar, 8 stone pillars, 3 special pestles, 3 pestles, and also 13 porcelain pieces during the underwater archaeological excavation of No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island in 2015.
Judged by the unearthed artifacts, the No.1 Wreck ruins at Coral island could be dated to Late Qing dynasty, which was a transport ship special for stone artifacts in distant seas.
Aerial photo of Ganquan island
The archaeological survey of Ganquan island site
35000 square meters have been surveyed at the Ganquan island site in 2015, which discovered 17 remains of Song dynasty, Ming dynasty, Qing dynasty, and Modern times, collected 55 samples, and completed the Ariel photography of the whole island.
The remains of Song dynasty are mainly porcelain pieces found on the outer beach of Ganquan island. The quantity is small and the types of wares found are mainly the bottoms of the blue and white porcelain bowls with faded glaze colors, which are suggested, have connections with the shipwrecks in the sea around the island.
There are 2 small temples made of coral reefs, 1 ancient well, and some porcelain pieces found dated to the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Many modern remains are found during the survey, mainly include 7 housing foundations made of coral reefs, 2 wells, 2 refuse areas, 1 barrack, 1 hearth, and 1 ditch that was built by people.
Underwater deposit of No.1 Wreck ruins at Jinyin island
The No.1 Wreck ruin of Jinyin island was discovered in 2010. It is located at the southwest corner of the atoll reef at Jinyin island.
Many stone artifacts and porcelain pieces are scattering at the surface. The distribution of the stone artifacts is relatively centered. The stone artifacts found include living utensils such as the stone planks, millstones, stone mortars, eaves, pillar foundations, and rectangular pillars, as well as the housing units.
The porcelain pieces are mainly distributed in the north part of the stone artifacts. The types of the porcelains found include blue and white porcelain bowls, plates with painted flowers, and white porcelain plates from Dehua kiln or Anxi kiln of late Qing dynasty.
The underwater archaeological survey of No.1 Wreck ruin at Jinyin island was carried out by the Xisha Archaeological Team in May 2015. It confirmed that no human disturbance was done to the site and the present preservation condition of the large artifacts such as the stone artifacts has not been changed. The representative stone artifacts were photographed, measured and drew after the safety assessment of the site. None of the underwater artifacts were extracted.
The survey of sea area outside of the Yongle atoll reef
The surveyed areas include the sea area where the No.1 Wreck ruin of Coral island is located, the sea area of north Quanfu island, the sea area where the Quanfumen is located, and the southwest sea area of Yagong island. The images of the topography of the seabed are collected. (Translator: Li Xuelei)