600-Year-Old Shipwreck Found in Korea Surprises With Numerous Intact Artifacts, Rare Masts, and Clue to Even Older Ship

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 18/11/2025 at 15:55

Updated on 18/11/2025 at 16:02

Foto: Yonhap

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After Almost Ten Years of Deep-Sea Work, the Recovery of the Mado 4 Reveals Details of State Transport of Tributes, Joseon-Era Naval Techniques, and the Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck Near Taean

After almost ten years of deep-sea work, researchers have completed the recovery of the Mado 4, a cargo ship from the Joseon era. The vessel was on the seabed in the Taean region, on the west coast of Korea, and had been there for about 600 years. The find in the shipwreck reignites debates about the state organization of the period as it brings together pieces that reveal how the official transport of tributes was carried out.

The ship was found in 2015. Since then, specialized teams have worked to collect more than 120 artifacts.

This material includes wooden tags used to identify cargo, rice containers, and porcelain intended for the government.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Origin of the Ship and Its Role in State Transport

The items retrieved from the hull confirm that the Mado 4 was part of the joun, the system responsible for transporting grains and goods from provincial depots to Hanyang, now Seoul.

This transport met administrative demands and helped sustain the political functioning of the Joseon dynasty.

The National Maritime Heritage Research Institute informed The Korea Herald that the ship likely sank around 1420.

The vessel was sailing on a route considered difficult, which departed from Naju in the south of the peninsula.

Strong currents and rocky formations along the west coast may have contributed to the accident. Therefore, the hull remained protected by layers of sand for centuries, which explains the unusual state of preservation.

Differentiated Structure and Advances in Naval Construction

Furthermore, the Mado 4 brought important innovations regarding the engineering of that period. The ship has two masts, unlike the single-masted models previously found in similar excavations.

This configuration surprised experts as it alters the current understanding of the development of Korean vessels.

Another notable point is the use of iron nails. Marks on the hull show metal repairs that were not associated with traditional techniques in the country.

These elements indicate that naval construction during the Joseon era may have incorporated technologies that were previously undocumented.

Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck

The recovery of the vessel brought another unexpected result. During the operation, divers located a second ship nearby.

Sonar scans identified pieces of celadon pottery dated between 1150 and 1175, suggesting a shipwreck from the Goryeo kingdom.

If confirmed, it will be the oldest record ever found in Korean territory. The fragments presented to the public in Seoul reinforce interest in the region.

Taean has become a reference since 2007, when fishermen discovered the Mado 1 wreck.

More than ten vessels have already been identified there, revealing a maritime corridor that moved goods and information over several centuries.

Exhibition and Future of Research in Taean

While undergoing desalination and conservation processes, the Mado 4 is already part of a special exhibition at the Taean Maritime Museum.

The exhibition includes more than 120 artifacts recovered from the seabed and will be open until February 2026.

The initiative is from the National Maritime Heritage Research Institute, linked to the Cultural Heritage Administration of South Korea.

The goal is to transform Taean into a hub for maritime archaeology research in East Asia.

With information from Galileu Magazine.

600-Year-Old Shipwreck Found in Korea Surprises With Numerous Intact Artifacts, Rare Masts, and Clue to Even Older Ship

After Almost Ten Years of Deep-Sea Work, the Recovery of the Mado 4 Reveals Details of State Transport of Tributes, Joseon-Era Naval Techniques, and the Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck Near Taean

Origin of the Ship and Its Role in State Transport

Differentiated Structure and Advances in Naval Construction

Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck

Exhibition and Future of Research in Taean

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600-Year-Old Shipwreck Found in Korea Surprises With Numerous Intact Artifacts, Rare Masts, and Clue to Even Older Ship

After Almost Ten Years of Deep-Sea Work, the Recovery of the Mado 4 Reveals Details of State Transport of Tributes, Joseon-Era Naval Techniques, and the Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck Near Taean

Origin of the Ship and Its Role in State Transport

Differentiated Structure and Advances in Naval Construction

Discovery of an Even Older Shipwreck

Exhibition and Future of Research in Taean

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Australia prepares to dredge 96.5 million m³ in Moreton Bay to deepen, widen, and realign channels of the Port of Brisbane, in a project of up to 25 years designed to accommodate larger ships and enhance maritime safety and regional port efficiency.

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