On October 1, Hainan, China, took a significant leap forward in the realm of deep-sea archaeology, announcing initiatives aimed at boosting international communication and collaboration in this specialized field. The launch of the Hainan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, which now incorporates the South China Sea Deep-Sea Archaeology Institute, has sparked a growing interest in preserving underwater cultural heritage in the South China Sea.
In a recent conversation with China News Service, Song Jianzhong, the director of the Archaeology Institute, highlighted Hainan’s dedication to deep-sea archaeology and protecting the region’s underwater cultural heritage. “Our aim is to foster cooperation in safeguarding underwater cultural heritage throughout the South China Sea and to promote international exchanges in deep-sea archaeology,” he remarked.
This new institute signifies an expanding academic framework for exploring the South China Sea, merging the strengths of three pivotal institutions: the South China Sea Research Institute, which has dedicated over two decades to historical and legal studies in the area; the South China Sea Museum in Hainan, which displays the region’s cultural and natural history; and the newly established deep-sea archaeology institute. “These three organizations will collaborate closely to enhance academic partnerships and advance research on the region’s history, culture, and maritime Silk Road,” Song noted.
Given Hainan’s land area of just 35,400 square kilometers juxtaposed with its maritime expanse of 2 million square kilometers, the archaeological focus will primarily target underwater sites. As the South China Sea has an average depth of 1,212 meters, deep-sea investigations will be crucial to this research.
Song pointed out that launching the South China Sea Deep-Sea Archaeology Institute is a strategic decision that capitalizes on Hainan’s geographic positioning. The institute plans to actively participate in international collaborations under global initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, aspiring to develop a robust academic research platform.
He further underscored the importance of recent discoveries, specifically two Ming Dynasty shipwrecks unearthed in the northwest slope of the South China Sea. “These discoveries illustrate the vast potential of deep-sea archaeology in our region,” he explained. This project, utilizing advanced deep-sea technology and rigorous archaeological techniques, has garnered international attention and showcases China’s progress in deep-sea archaeology.
These wrecks have been recognized as two of the “Top Ten New Archaeological Discoveries in China for 2023,” and between 2023 and 2024, various research entities conducted underwater surveys that resulted in the recovery of 928 artifacts. “These findings provide historical evidence of the ancient maritime Silk Road and its role in fostering cross-cultural exchanges,” added Song.
Dating back to the Han Dynasty, the maritime Silk Road significantly contributed to trade and cultural exchanges across the South China Sea. Shipwrecks have also been discovered in nearby countries, such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, predominantly consisting of merchant vessels. Many artifacts retrieved from these wrecks reveal the influence of Chinese ceramics alongside those from Southeast Asian nations.
Looking to the future, Song expressed a strong commitment to establishing an international alliance focused on the protection of underwater cultural heritage in the South China Sea region following the institute’s launch. “Deep-sea archaeology poses unique challenges, necessitating expertise from various disciplines. Countries like the U.S., U.K., and France are currently engaged in similar efforts, drawing scholars from diverse academic backgrounds. Therefore, developing talent through collaborative training in underwater archaeology will be a crucial priority,” he explained.
In recent years, institutions such as Peking University and Shandong University have introduced courses in underwater archaeology, signaling progress in legitimizing this field as an academic discipline, although it still lags behind other archaeological branches. Song revealed plans to implement a dual training model in partnership with relevant universities and research institutes to cultivate the necessary expertise for deep-sea archaeological endeavors.
As he looks ahead, Song stressed an open invitation for talent from across the country, encouraging like-minded individuals to join this evolving field. He voiced optimism for China to develop specialized unmanned deep-sea archaeological equipment to enhance its exploration capabilities.
