In 1987, a team from UK Maritime Exploration & Recoveries PLC discovered a Chinese merchant shipwreck while searching for the 18th-century ship Rhynsburg in the South China Sea. The wreck, later named Nanhai One (南海一号), was found near Hailing Island (海陵岛) in Guangdong Province. Measuring approximately 30 meters in length, the ship lay buried in silt. Initial salvage efforts recovered around 200 pieces of porcelain, Song dynasty coins, about 130 kg of silver bars, a brass kettle, and a gold waist chain.
At the time, Chinese authorities suspended further recovery due to a lack of underwater archaeology expertise. However, since 2001, China has significantly developed its capabilities in the field, leading to renewed exploration of the wreck. In 2003, archaeologists uncovered a small cabin filled with over 4,000 delicate porcelain pieces. Experts estimate that between 60,000 and 80,000 artifacts remain on board.
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Ceramics in the wreck
The well-preserved remains of Nanhai One offer crucial insights into ancient Chinese shipbuilding and maritime trade. Recognizing its historical significance, authorities decided to house the wreck in a dedicated museum in Yangjiang, opposite Hailing Island. In 2007, the ship—encased in a large cage with its surrounding silt—was raised and placed in a specially designed pool known as the "Crystal Palace." This pool replicates the original water conditions of the wreck site to ensure its preservation. Archaeologists have cautioned that removing the silt too quickly could damage both the vessel and its cargo. The research and recovery process is expected to continue for years.
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Location of wreck |
Among the recovered artifacts are more than 10,000 copper coins, the most recent bearing the chunxi yuanbao (淳熙元宝) inscription—a reign mark of Emperor Xiao Zong (孝宗) from 1174–1189 A.D. Archaeological studies of kiln sites indicate that the Longquan and Jingdezhen porcelains aboard were produced between 1150 and 1200 A.D., providing a reliable date for the wreck. Further confirmation came in 2018 with the discovery of a Dehua white-glazed jarlet featuring an ink inscription of the cyclical date gui mao (癸卯), equivalent to 1183 A.D.
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| Copper coin with the chunxi yuanbao (淳熙元宝) mark and Dehua jarlet with ink inscription (癸卯) |
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| Guangdong Jars with stamped reign mark such as 乾道（1165- 1173 A.D）and 淳熙十年 (1183 A.D) |
It is common to find items dated decades apart, as ships often carried goods accumulated over multiple voyages. The cargo reflects the mix of porcelains exported to Southeast Asia, with Jingdezhen’s Qingbai and Longquan celadon dominating. By the Southern Song period, Fujian had overtaken Guangdong as the primary porcelain production center due to the relocation of China’s main trade port from Guangzhou to Quanzhou. Fujian kilns, such as Dehua, Cizao (in Quanzhou), and Mingqing, supplied large quantities of export ceramics.
During this period, Longquan celadon became the premier green ware, while Jingdezhen Qingbai served as a substitute for the white porcelain previously produced in northern China. These three production centers—Longquan, Jingdezhen, and Fujian—remained the pillars of Chinese ceramic exports until the Yuan dynasty.
The recovered Longquan celadon wares primarily consist of bowls adorned with carved lotus and floral motifs, resembling those found in the Jepara shipwreck in Indonesia, which is also dated to the Southern Song period. These high-quality wares were highly sought after in Southeast Asia and frequently appear in ancient graves and habitation sites. The presence of transparent glazes and the absence of thick, heavily glazed Longquan pieces further support an early Southern Song dating.
Notably, the cargo from the wreck contains very few Fujian celadon wares inspired by Longquan. It is an important milestone that suggests that by the last quarter of 12th century, Longquan celadon had gained significant traction and dominated a large share of the overseas market for celadon wares.
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| Group of Longquan celadon from Nanhai 1 wreck |
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| Two Longquan celadon shallow bowls with carved floral decoration |
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| Longquan bowl with abstract carved cloud decoration (Foreground) |
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Longquan bowl with carved lotus motif |
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Longquan bowl with carved stylised floral motif |
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| Longquan Chrysanthemum petals shaped dish | |
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| Floral shaped dish with carved floral decoration |
The Jingdezhen Qingbai ceramics recovered from the wreck consist mainly of bowls and dishes, distinguished by their fine potting and icy bluish glaze. Many of these wares feature impressed or carved decorations, including the popular "infants among foliage" motif.
In the past, relatively few high-quality Southern Song Jingdezhen Qingbai pieces were found in Southeast Asia. However, recent discoveries from Jambi Batang Kumpeh, a tributary of the Batang Hari River in Jambi, confirm that a significant number were exported by the last quarter of the 12th century.
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| Fine Jingdezhen Qingbai wares found in the Nanhai 1 wreck | |
Dehua Qingbai wares constitute a significant portion of the find, including covered boxes, large bowls, small vases, jarlets, and ewers. Their colors range from a faint bluish hue to pure white. Compared to Jingdezhen Qingbai, Dehua wares are slightly inferior in quality, suggesting they were intended for the lower-end market.
Brown-glazed and green/yellow lead-glazed ceramics from the Cizao kiln in Quanzhou were also recovered. These wares, especially brown-glazed storage jars, were widely traded in Southeast Asia. Some Cizao pieces feature carved, molded, or iron-black painted decorations. From various wrecks in Southeast Asia seawaters, we can ascertain that Cizao kiln was the main suppliers of such wares and remained so till the Yuan period.
A stack of ceramic fragments was also found, including the base of a celadon bowl—likely from Fujian. Though the decoration is unclear, it is presumed to be a carved/combed abstract motif. Similar examples have been found in the Jepara wreck.
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| Dehua Kendi with molded floral decoration | |
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Dehua big bowls with carved floral motif |
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| Dehua ewer with moulded floral decoration |
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| Cizao kiln vessels with iron-black painted decoration. |
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| The celadon-glazed bowl with an unglazed bottom is likely of the Longquan-inspired type, featuring carved/combed abstract decoration. Notably, only a few examples were found. In contrast, earlier-period wrecks such as the Java Sea, Huaguang Jiao 1, and Jepara wrecks contained them in large numbers. |
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| Fujian Minqing kiln bowls with a straw-colored glaze are generally classified as qingbai but are more likely Ding-inspired, as they share similar characteristics, including tear-drops and a comparable carving style. |
Recent surveys of the Qishi (奇石) and Wentou Ling (文头嶺) kilns have helped identify the origins of the four-lugged dark brown, brownish-green, and yellowish-green glaze jars recovered from Nanhai One. Initially, these jars were attributed to Fujian’s Cizao kiln, but new evidence suggests they were Guangdong products.
These jars, found in compartments 9 and 10 of the ship’s hull, are classified into six size categories:
Larger jars were likely used for storing wine and water, while smaller ones contained preserved food items like duck eggs, meats, and fruits. Some jars bear reign marks, cyclical dates, and trademarks, indicating their use in the wine trade.
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Jar with stamped
character /lotus flower. Possibly from Fujian Cizao
kiln. |
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| Guangdong Qish/Wen Touling jars from Nanhai 1 wreck |
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| Comparison of stamped floral motif from Nanyue Palace site, Nanhai 1 wreck and Qishi kiln |
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| Various stamped motifs on jars from Qishi kiln |
Among the rarer discoveries are a Yaozhou kiln bowl with floral carvings and a persimmon-glazed jarlet from Jiangxi’s Ganzhou Qilizhen kiln (江西赣州七里镇窑).
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| Yaozhou green glazed bowl wih carved floral decoration. |
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| Jiangxi Ganzhou kiln small brown glazed jar |
The Nanhai 1 shipwreck is a significant and invaluable archaeological discovery, serving as a well-preserved time capsule of maritime trade during the Southern Song period (1150–1200 A.D.). The artifacts recovered—ranging from high-quality porcelains to everyday trade goods—offer deep insights into the commercial networks, craftsmanship, and consumer preferences of that era.
Notably, the ceramics found onboard closely mirror those excavated from ancient habitation and burial sites in Southeast Asia, reinforcing the historical trade connections between China and the wider region. While few other shipwrecks have yielded comparable cargo, notable parallels can be drawn with finds from the Huaguang Jiao 1, Jepara, Java, and Breaker Shoal wrecks. The diverse range of ceramics—catering to both elite and common consumers—further underscores the extensive reach of Chinese exports during this period.
Ongoing research and careful preservation efforts will continue to reveal more about the ship's history, cargo composition, and its role in global trade. As studies progress, the Nanhai 1 will remain a cornerstone in our understanding of medieval maritime commerce and shipbuilding, offering invaluable perspectives on the dynamic interactions between China and the world during the Southern Song dynasty.
Written by NK Koh (22 Jun 2012), updated: 10 Dec 2020, 1 Dec 2021, updated 23 Sep 2023, updated: 4 Mar 2025
