"过年好！欢迎大家和我一起登上'运河之舟'。今天这场讲解将用一件件瓷器串联起海上丝绸之路的故 事。"大年初六10时30分，北京大运河博物馆（首都博物馆东馆）主楼一层，"向海而行——中国南海西 北陆坡海域深海考古特展"展厅入口，讲解主管刘萍笑意盈盈，邀请观众"潜"入1500米的深海，探秘明 代"宝船"。 沿着展线前行，越来越多的观众聚拢过来。在青花鱼跃龙门应龙纹大盘前，刘萍让大家观察："青花瓷 盘内壁，应龙腾跃于祥云海浪之间，盘心双圈内，鲤鱼一跃冲天，仿佛下一秒就要破盘而出，寓意鱼跃 龙门、时来运转。" 走到一对素三彩象形执壶的展柜前，刘萍的讲解更添深意："这是明代景德镇民窑为开拓海外市场创作 的外销精品，器型与纹饰融合中国传统审美与异域文化元素。小象背上驮着宝瓶，意为'太平有象'，象 征着四海升平、吉祥安宁。" 一个多小时的讲解，观众仍意犹未尽。刘萍带着大家移步到三层展厅，继续赏瓷器。正在展出的"帆海 融光——天津博物馆藏18-19世纪中国纹章瓷特展"上，百余件"中国制造、欧洲风尚"的纹章瓷，讲述着 中外文明交流互鉴往事。 "瓷器，与'中国'有着相同的英文名，是中国的一张文化名片。500年前，海上丝绸之路的商 ...

Core Viewpoint - The exhibition "Sailing Towards the Sea - Special Exhibition of Deep-sea Archaeology in the Northwest Slope of the South China Sea" showcases a significant collection of Ming Dynasty artifacts, highlighting the prosperous maritime trade during that period and marking a milestone in China's deep-sea archaeology [1][5]. Group 1: Exhibition Overview - The exhibition features 377 artifacts, including blue and white porcelain, enamelware, and colorful ceramics from the Ming Dynasty, which are well-preserved and hold high historical, scientific, and artistic value [1]. - Artifacts are sourced from two Ming Dynasty shipwrecks discovered in October 2022, located at a depth of approximately 1500 meters in the South China Sea, between Hainan Island and the Xisha Islands [5]. - The shipwrecks represent the first simultaneous discovery of ancient Chinese outbound and return maritime trade vessels, illustrating the two-way exchange of the Maritime Silk Road [5]. Group 2: Thematic Focus - The exhibition aims to present two main themes: the exchange and mutual learning along the Maritime Silk Road during the Ming Dynasty, particularly the production and export of porcelain, and the advancements in China's deep-sea archaeology [6]. - It utilizes artifacts, underwater imagery, and archaeological narratives to engage visitors and highlight the significance of deep-sea archaeology in promoting cultural exchange and understanding [6]. Group 3: Exhibition Structure - The exhibition is structured around three content sections: discovering the shipwrecks, exploring the shipwrecks, and uncovering the shipwrecks, showcasing the latest archaeological findings and integrating innovative display technologies for an immersive experience [6]. - The exhibition will run until March 15, 2026, allowing ample time for public engagement with these historical discoveries [22].

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant advancements in underwater archaeology in China, particularly focusing on the discoveries of ancient shipwrecks in the South China Sea, which provide valuable insights into maritime trade and cultural exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road [2][5][12]. Group 1: Historical Context - The establishment of the underwater archaeology research office in 1987 marked the beginning of China's underwater archaeology history [5]. - The discovery of the Huaguang Reef No. 1 shipwreck in 1996 revealed nearly 10,000 artifacts, showcasing the prosperity of maritime trade during the Southern Song Dynasty [5]. - Subsequent investigations of other shipwrecks have further clarified the historical outline of the ancient Maritime Silk Road [5][15]. Group 2: Technological Advancements - The transition from shallow to deep-sea archaeology has been facilitated by advancements in deep-sea equipment and marine exploration technology [5][12]. - The establishment of the "Deep Sea Archaeology Joint Laboratory" in Sanya in January 2018 signaled a new era for underwater archaeology in China [5]. Group 3: Recent Discoveries - In 2022, two ancient shipwrecks were discovered at a depth of approximately 1,500 meters in the South China Sea, marking the first discovery of Ming Dynasty shipwrecks at such depths [8][10]. - The core area of the No. 1 shipwreck is approximately 37 meters long and 11 meters wide, containing over 100,000 artifacts, while the No. 2 shipwreck is about 21 meters long and 8 meters wide, containing a significant amount of foreign wood [10][15]. Group 4: Cultural Significance - The artifacts retrieved from the shipwrecks, including various types of ceramics, illustrate the high level of ceramic manufacturing and maritime trade during the Ming Dynasty [15]. - The findings from the shipwrecks fill historical gaps regarding the return routes of maritime trade, providing compelling evidence of the two-way flow of goods along the Maritime Silk Road [15][17]. Group 5: Future Prospects - Ongoing archaeological investigations are expected to continue for years, with hopes of further uncovering the mysteries of the shipwrecks and enhancing public understanding of the ancient Maritime Silk Road [17].