Two shipwrecks from Goryeo Dynasty discovered from tidal flat in Jebudo

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the Institute measuring the spot and collecting samples for Jebudo Shipwreck No. 1. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the spot where Jebudo Shipwreck No. 2 was found. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap) -- Two ships, assumed to have been produced about a thousand years ago during the Goryeo Dynasty, have been discovered from the tidal flat near Jebudo, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province located at the west coast along the middle part of the Korean Peninsula.

Until the recently found ships which have been named “Jebudo Shipwreck No. 1” and “Jebudo Shipwreck No. 2,” 14 ships from the past were found or pulled up from the seaside near the Korean Peninsula, according to the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, Saturday.

An official investigation report about the recent findings has not been issued yet.

Out of the 14 already investigated ships, 10 were from the Goryeo Dynasty and the others included one from the Unified Silla Dynasty and another from the Joseon Dynasty. The collected relics include a worldly famous Shinan Ship, a merchant vessel from the Chinese Yuan Dynasty and Jindo Shipwreck which is assumed to be either a Japanese or a Chinese ship.

“Jebudo Shipwreck No. 1” which was discovered at a tidal flat 1.4 km South from the island is 11.2 meters long and 4.2 meters wide. Meanwhile No. 2 buried 300 meters West from the island is 9.5 meters long and 5.2 meters wide. Compared to the previous discoveries, their sizes are similar to that of Mado Shipwreck No. 1 and Dalido Shipwreck from the Goryeo Dynasty.

The Jebudo shipwrecks were found at a point that gets sunken during rising tide and bare during low tide. Their carbon-dating results showed that No. 1 was produced in the 9th~10th century and No. 2 was built in the 11th~12th century.

“We received a report that an old ship was found in Jebudo in 2015 and set out on an investigation in the following year. During the investigation, a resident who was catching octopus told us that there was another old ship, so we could find two ships,” said the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage.

When they investigators examined the ships, they could see No. 1’s bottom parts while No. 2 only had its front and back exposed. Also, pieces of potteries were found around No. 2.

“Some assumed that No. 1 was a modern ship but its structure suggested that it was from the Goryeo Dynasty. There were little relics near the ship and the body’s wooden parts were so decayed that they could be crushed by fingers,” added the Institute.

Based on its structure and the patterns of the potteries found nearby, No. 2 is assumed to be from the early Goryeo Dynasty.
 

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the spot where Jebudo Shipwreck No. 1 was found. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ This photo, provided by the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, shows the spot where Jebudo Shipwreck No. 2 was found. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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