Yuan Dynasty Porcelain Haul Found
Marine archaeologists have recovered a record haul of rare Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain from a shipwreck off Singapore. This find sheds new light on maritime trade during the 13th–14th centuries and is likely to be a major draw for historians and museum visitors alike.
The shipwreck, now named the "Temasek Wreck," is the first ancient shipwreck to be discovered in Singapore's waters. Excavations between 2016 and 2019 recovered approximately 3.8 tons of Chinese ceramics from the vessel, which is believed to have been a Chinese junk. Although no part of the ship's wooden hull survived, the cargo's contents suggest it was loaded in the Chinese port of Quanzhou and was destined for Temasek, the port that preceded modern Singapore. This discovery contains the largest collection of Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain ever found on a shipwreck. While the blue-and-white porcelain makes up only about 4% of the total ceramic cargo by weight, it accounts for over 2,350 fragments from at least 300 different bowls. The quality of the porcelain, including pieces from the famous Jingdezhen kilns, has been described as "superlative." The blue-and-white porcelain provides a clear timeframe for the vessel's sinking, placing it between 1340 and 1352. This style of porcelain, which flourished during the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), was a significant export commodity. Its creation was a technological revolution, using cobalt blue pigment imported from Persia to create the iconic vibrant blue patterns on a white porcelain base. In addition to the famed blue-and-white wares, the cargo included a diverse range of other ceramics. Nearly half of the haul consisted of green-glazed Longquan celadon, along with other varieties such as Jingdezhen *qingbai* (bluish-white) and *shufu* wares, Dehua whiteware, and storage jars from Cizao. This varied collection offers a valuable snapshot of the ceramics traded in the mid-14th century. The find provides concrete evidence of the historical importance of Temasek as a major trading hub on the Maritime Silk Road. In the 14th century, the port was a bustling center for international commerce, connecting traders from China with those in Southeast Asia and beyond. This shipwreck confirms the port's role in the global luxury goods trade centuries before the arrival of Europeans.
