Timeline

1983: In the South China Sea, British marine explore Michael Hartcher salvages 27,000 pieces of porcelain from a sunken Chinese cargo ship dating back to 1643.

1985: Hartcher salvages another ancient Chinese ship. The cargo of gold and porcelain sells for $20 million at auction.

1987: Hartcher's success leads directly to the founding of China's Underwater Archaeology Research Center, a branch of the National Museum of China.