This year, the National Marine Heritage Research Institute of the National Heritage Administration announced on the 29th that they discovered over 220 new artifacts during an underwater excavation conducted from April to October in the waters near Seonyudo, Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do. The unearthed artifacts include around 190 ceramic items, such as celadon, and about 20 metal items, including bronze spoons and Sangpyeong Tongbo coins.
Notably, several pieces of Joseon-era artifacts like Buncheong ware, white porcelain, and long pipes were found in multiple instances of the same form. These are presumed to have been cargo transported by ships rather than items used by sailors. The institute stated that this discovery is noteworthy because, aside from the earlier Joseon dynasty cargo ship ‘Mado 4,’ found in Taean County, Chungnam, most discovered Joseon artifacts were either used by sailors or lost items.
In addition, several wooden anchor flukes (the hooked part that embeds into the seabed) were identified buried in mud in the excavation area. The institute explained that these artifacts substantiate historical records describing the Gunsan waters as a location where ships, including cargo ships carrying public grain, sheltered or waited out winds, as depicted in the late Joseon period map “Mangyeonghyeon Gogeunsanjin Map.”
The investigation of the Seonyudo waters began in 2021, prompted by a report from a diver who spotted artifacts on the seabed. By last year, more than 660 items had been uncovered, including prehistoric stone daggers, Goryeo celadon, and Joseon-era Buncheong ware and white porcelain.
While no ancient ships have been discovered so far, the institute believes there is a high possibility that a shipwreck might be buried in the area, given the recovery of a batch of celadon and equipment like oars and anchors used on ships. The institute plans to compile the findings of the Seonyudo excavation into a report to be published next year.