Experts scramble to save ancient ship

Archaeologists and relic experts are sparing no effort to protect an ancient wooden vessel and the large number of historical artifacts on board in the coastal city of Yangjiang, Guangdong province.

Sun Jian, technical director of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection Center of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, said a mildew deterrent and protective spray are being used at the site to prevent damage to the ship and artifacts now that the thick silt layer covering it has been cleared away.

The 21.58-meter-long, 9.55-meter-wide vessel that has been named South China Sea (Nanhai) No 1 was salvaged from a depth of 30 meters in the South China Sea in late 2007.