Description:
Twelve centuries ago, a merchant ship—an Arab dhow—foundered on a reef off the coast of Belitung, a small island in the Java Sea. On board were lead ingots, bronze mirrors, spice-filled jars, intricately worked vessels of silver and gold, and more than 60,000 glazed bowls, ewers, and other ceramics. The ship remained buried at sea for more than a millennium, its contents protected from erosion by their packing and the conditions of the silty sea floor. It wasn’t until 1998 that fishermen discovered the wreck, lying in shallow waters less than three kilometers offshore.
The companion catalogue to an internationally traveling exhibition, Shipwrecked: Tang Treasures and Monsoon Winds documents one of the most important archaeological revelations of the twentieth century. Not only was the Belitung wreck the oldest Arab vessel discovered in Asian waters, but it also contained the largest group of Tang dynasty artifacts ever found. The archaeological recovery of both ship and cargo has allowed for a radical reappraisal of the Maritime Silk Route to China, answering questions on the nature of Asian sea trade with far greater certainty than was possible before.
Through more than 400 gorgeous photographs and essays by international experts, Shipwrecked tells two stories: of the ship and the men who sailed it, and of the cargo, its production and markets. The vast capacity and technical sophistication of China’s kilns are reflected in the number and variety of the ceramic goods, which simultaneously cast light on contemporary West Asian taste. Meanwhile, the glamour of the silver and gold objects speak of diplomatic ties and tribute, although their ultimate destination remains a mystery.
While its long voyage was interrupted, the Belitung ship has opened a route from the past to the present, which we are now able to navigate at least part of the way. Shipwrecked combines art, history, and marine archaeology to create a dramatic narrative of Chinese ceramic production during the fabled Tang dynasty and shows us a China very much at the center of the world. Part adventure story, part maritime archaeological expedition, part historical look into ninth-century Chinese economy, culture, and trade, Shipwrecked is a fascinating journey back in time.
