Dive into history with 800-year-old Nanhai No 1 shipwreck at exhibition in Hong Kong
The ship, which is believed to have sunk because it was too full, has artefacts that show what life was like during China’s Song dynasty
This photo shows a replica of the Nanhai No 1 ship, which is the most complete ancient wreck to have been found so far. Photo: HandoutEvery week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we’ve written.
Imagine a magnificent merchant ship sailing the South China Sea more than 800 years ago. It was a sign of how strong trade was during the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). The boat’s name was Nanhai No 1.
Ever since Nanhai No 1 was discovered in 1987, archaeologists and historians have been curious to understand its story. How did the ship sink and end up at the bottom of the South China Sea?
“Discovering the Nanhai No 1 shipwreck was a groundbreaking moment. It is a superstar in the archaeological world,” said Lee Hiu-wai, the assistant curator of the Antiquities and Monuments Office at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.
The cultural centre in Tsim Sha Tsui is displaying 255 items from Nanhai No 1 in an exhibition.
“It’s like solving a centuries-old mystery, piecing together clues to understand the ship’s journey, its cargo, and the lives of the people who sailed on it,” Lee said.
Why this ship is special
After its discovery in 1987, Nanhai No 1 was salvaged in 2007. It is the most complete ancient merchant ships that has ever been found.
The ship held many special artefacts, such as fine porcelain, complex metalwork, jewellery and coins.
“It was a merchant ship loaded with goods from China setting sail to do business. Along with the merchandise, there were also a lot of jars that [are] believed to contain fine wines,” Lee said.
“The quantities, shapes, craftsmanship and forms of the artefacts are rare among the archaeological finds of the Southern Song dynasty.”
Not a ‘baad’ way to travel: 6-sheep chariot near mausoleum of China’s first emperor
The curator noted that the ship was packed tightly, with items filling up every available space.
“Even the fine china and tableware on the ship were sometimes used to store other items, showing the efficient utilisation of space,” she observed.
But holding so many items may have caused the ship’s downfall: “Experts believed that the ship sank due to overloading,” Lee said.
What we have learned from Nanhai No 1
Looking at these items helps historians understand what daily life and trade were like during that time.
“All these gave us a glance of how [it was a] blooming time in Southern Song dynasty,” Lee said.
“The products that China [sold to] ... the outside world shows a high level of handicraft and artistic value. Trade at the time was very prosperous.”
Archaeologists have used the remains to figure out Nanhai No 1’s journey. They believe it likely started along China’s southern coast. It passed through the Zhejiang and Fujian areas and set sail from Guangzhou.
According to Lee, the ship shows the wealth of maritime Silk Road trade during the Song dynasty. It also highlights the role of the Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area in this historical trade route.
“Launch from Greater Bay Area: Nanhai I Shipwreck and the Maritime Silk Road” is on display at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park. It will run until February 12, and admission is free.
Hong Kong Palace Museum to showcase the origins of Chinese civilisation
-
Reflect: What do you think it was like to travel on a ship 1,000 years ago?
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.
cargo 貨物
goods carried on a ship, aircraft or vehicle
efficient 高效
doing something in a careful way with no waste of time, money or energy
maritime 海上
connected with the sea or ships
merchant 商人
describes something that moves goods by sea
prosperous 繁榮
rich and successful
salvaged 打撈
to recover objects from a wreck or disaster