Underwater Excavation Begins off the coast of Taean, 태안 마도해역 수중발굴 시작

바닷속 문화재 보고 태안 마도 수중발굴 재개

Underwater Excavation Begins off the coast of Taean

( Seoul = Yonhapnews Agency ) 

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage of Korea said it will conduct an underwater excavation from the 10th to the end of next month off Mado Island in Taean County, Chungcheongnam-do. Connected to the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, the sea area is called "the treasure house of underwater cultural assets" as numerous artifacts have been poured out. 

The survey area and range is about 4,000 square meters southwest of the spot where the relics came last year.

Last year archaeologists unearthed celadon ware and Buncheong ware from the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties as well as  ceramics, which are believed to have been produced in Fujian Province, and Wonfeng during the Song-Yuan dynasty period and Yuan Feng Tong Bao 元豊通寶, Chinese coins casted from 1078 to 1085 AD during the Song dynasty era. They also raised 15 anchor stones that helps keep ships from drifting when they dock.

Near the sea area, three ships of the Goryeo period, one ship of the Joseon Dynasty, and about 3,500 relics have been unearthed. 

Because of the rough water in this waterside area many ships had wrecked since ancient times. In the Chosun dynasty annals, there are records that as many as 200 boats have sunk over the past 60 years from 1392 to 1455.