One of the qingbai-type boxes from the Java Sea Shipwreck collection at the Field Museum.
One of the qingbai-type boxes from the Java Sea Shipwreck collection at the Field Museum.
Kate Golembiewski
The researchers had the rough task of searching for ancient kiln shards throughout sites in southeastern China to compare with the ceramics found at the shipwreck.
The researchers had the rough task of searching for ancient kiln shards throughout sites in southeastern China to compare with the ceramics found at the shipwreck.
Kai Li
A type of portable X-ray gun was used to study the ceramics and perform a chemical analysis that wasn't destructive to the shipwreck's cargo.
A type of portable X-ray gun was used to study the ceramics and perform a chemical analysis that wasn't destructive to the shipwreck's cargo.
Kate Golembiewski
A qingbai ewer found at the wreck.
A qingbai ewer found at the wreck.
Huan Xiong
This is a Chinese ceramic bowl with qingbai glaze from the Java Sea Shipwreck. A similar piece, dated to the 10th through 12th centuries, has been found at an archaeological site in Sarawak, Malaysia.
This is a Chinese ceramic bowl with qingbai glaze from the Java Sea Shipwreck. A similar piece, dated to the 10th through 12th centuries, has been found at an archaeological site in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Huan Xiong
A ceramic box base with a Chinese inscription that mentions a place where it was probably made, Jianning Fu, which dates from A.D. 1162 to 1278.
A ceramic box base with a Chinese inscription that mentions a place where it was probably made, Jianning Fu, which dates from A.D. 1162 to 1278.
Gedi Jakovickas
This model, built by Nicholas Burningham, shows what the ship probably looked like.
This model, built by Nicholas Burningham, shows what the ship probably looked like.
John Weinstein
Although the wooden hull disintegrated, the cargo of the ship was found in the Java Sea. These Chinese ceramic bowls were all located together.
Although the wooden hull disintegrated, the cargo of the ship was found in the Java Sea. These Chinese ceramic bowls were all located together.
Pacific Sea Resources
These are just two of 16 pieces of elephant tusk recovered from the wreck. The damage from being underwater for so many centuries is obvious. During the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) in China, elephant tusks were used in medicines and in the decorative arts.
These are just two of 16 pieces of elephant tusk recovered from the wreck. The damage from being underwater for so many centuries is obvious. During the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1279) in China, elephant tusks were used in medicines and in the decorative arts.
Pacific Sea Resources
Underneath the corky cortex that has formed around this resin block lies dark brown, glassy dammar resin. It still carries a sweet aroma, even after centuries under water.
Underneath the corky cortex that has formed around this resin block lies dark brown, glassy dammar resin. It still carries a sweet aroma, even after centuries under water.
Gedi Jakovickas
Field Museum conservator J.P. Brown carefully removes material from a resin block for dating.
Field Museum conservator J.P. Brown carefully removes material from a resin block for dating.
Lisa C. Niziolek
Marine life grew around the exposed cargo, like what's adhered to a piece of a ceramic storage jar.
Marine life grew around the exposed cargo, like what's adhered to a piece of a ceramic storage jar.
Pacific Sea Resources
These Chinese storage jars would have held spices, dried tea leaves, fish sauce, pickled vegetables and other perishable goods. Some of the jars have cyclical date stamps on them.
These Chinese storage jars would have held spices, dried tea leaves, fish sauce, pickled vegetables and other perishable goods. Some of the jars have cyclical date stamps on them.
Gedi Jakovickas
Chinese ceramic bowls that are included in the Field Museum's Java Sea Shipwreck collection.
Chinese ceramic bowls that are included in the Field Museum's Java Sea Shipwreck collection.
Karen Bean