In photos: ancient Chinese port city reveals secrets of Maritime Silk Road

Archaeologists disclosed fascinating updates of a major city along the ancient Maritime Silk Road

The site featured two sunken ships, which is a big deal for archaeologists trying to learn about ancient economies

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Archaeologists uncover an ancient port city in eastern China. Photo: SCMP composite

Published: 12:00pm, 15 Oct 2022

For some residents living along the Oujiang River in the eastern Chinese city of Wenzhou, they get a nice riverside view and can also look out onto an ancient port city that was an active part of the famed Maritime Silk Road.

Shuomen ancient port was discovered in 2021 in Zhejiang province. It is thought to have been active during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

A modern neighbourhood sits against the backdrop of an ancient archaeological site. Photo: Xinhua

Archaeologists told the local government in Wenzhou that it is one of the most well-preserved sites from the Maritime Silk Road, and they believe it can offer important insights into Chinese international trade at the time.

The excavations have revealed eight wharfs, two sunken ships, porcelain products and lacquerware.

“It is amazing to find two sunken ships at the port,” Liang Yanhua, the director of Wenzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, told the local government.

The archaeologists discovered beautiful sunken ships at the site. Photo: Xinhua

One of the two ships is a type called “fuchuan” or “fortune ship”, a typical vessel used during the Song dynasty. The other ship was also from the Song dynasty but has not been excavated yet.