Shipwrecks in the South China Sea

Shipwrecks with Chinese Ceramics

Ancient maritime trade routes led ships carrying porcelain and other Chinese wares to transshipment ports in Southeast Asia. There the wares were unloaded and then put on other ships for the voyage through the Malacca straits to South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Shards from shipwrecks have been found along South Asian coasts to North and East Africa. One of the earlier trading routes was the western route via the kingdom of Tondo, in Luzon (Philippines). Ships from China would bring their wares there, then they would be shipped southward along the east coast of the South China Sea to Majapahit and other Asian kingdoms in Southeast and South Asia.

The western routes lead along the coasts of Vietnam and the Malayan peninsula, and then eventually through the Malacca Straits to South Asia. For a long time wares went to Malacca for transshipment to South Asia and Europe. Later, when the Dutch Eastindia Company (VOC) had their headquarters for the region in Batavia (Jakarta), their merchandise would be transshipped via Batavia. It is no wonder, therefore, that a large number of wrecks can be found off the coasts of the South China Sea, along the ancient sea routes leading toward the Malacca Straits. Ceramic cargoes were not limited to Chinese origins, however. In that distant past Vietnam and Thailand also exported large quantities of ceramics, as is proven by cargoes in the area, and Japan was also an important exporter for some time.

Visit this website for locations of known shipwrecks in the area.

Why some shipwreck ceramics are in excellent condition

Several factors that affect the condition of the ceramic cargo found in wrecks.

1. Time in the sea
2. Maritime environment of wreck
   
3. Ceramic cargo location in ship
   
4. Packaging of ceramics
   

Obviously, the longer ceramics remain in the sea, the longer they are exposed to the elements, and the more they may deteriorate.

Point (2), above, goes hand in hand with this. A wreck environment with waves, strong currents or seasonal storms may affect the wreck and its condition. The location of ceramics in a ship (3) is another factor deciding whether and how long the cargo is protected from the currents and waves.
Due to an ingenious method used to store ceramics for shipping, they may have been protected for long periods of time from the elements.

Why some ceramics lifted from the sea are still in good condition, while others are not.

• Protection from the sea, sediments or waves.
• Protection from marine growth.
  
• Packed in straw, small items were often placed in huge ceramic storage jars.
  
• Protection from destruction by fishing nets, etc.
  

If a ship breaks apart immediately or soon after being wrecked, the cargo is exposed almost immediately to waves, currents, maritime growth, etc.
A wreck that remains intact and is not exposed to strong currents may protect the cargo in its hold for a long time. When the ship's wood finally gives way, the ceramic cargo may be affected for the first time. But, due to the packing methods used for shipping ceramics from ancient China, it would take considerable more time for the seawater and sand to affect the ceramics within.

Porcelain and other ceramics were usually wrapped in rice straw for transport. For shipping, many smaller items were put inside huge storage jars, surrounded by rice chaff. When the jars were full water was poured into these. The swollen rice chaff would then firmly hold and protect the ceramic items inside the jars.

The above description should make it clear why some items may have never been exposed to the currents, and why some glazes never were peppered by the sand over long periods, while others were virtually destroyed.

Archaeologically cataloged shipwreck ceramics are usable for authenticating other ceramics.

Shipwreck Ceramics

Fake Shipwreck Items