Secrets of 800-Year-Old Goryeo Cargo Ship Unlocked... First Evidence of Departure from Gyeongsang-do Found

The voyage details of a ship that set sail carrying grain from the Yeongam area of Jeollanam-do toward the Goryeo capital of Gaegyeong some 800 years ago have been specifically confirmed off the coast of Taean, Chungcheongnam-do.

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage announced that it has excavated 54 artifacts, including 26 wooden slips (mokgan), from Mado Ship No. 5 in the Mado sea area off Taean. Based on the dates and place names written on the wooden slips, the institute estimates that the ship set sail in the spring of 1208 and sank.

In particular, some of the wooden slips bear handwriting and content nearly identical to those found on Mado Ship No. 1 discovered in 2009. With the shipwreck sites of the two vessels located about 250 meters apart, they are presumed to have belonged to the same fleet.


Researchers believe it is highly likely that the two ships split cargo from the southwestern region of Jeollado and headed toward Gaegyeong before encountering severe weather and sinking together.

In addition, around 20 Goryeo-era artifacts, including celadon ceramics, pottery, and rice bales, along with wooden slips referring to the present-day Sacheon and Jinju areas in Gyeongsangnam-do, were discovered in the nearby waters, marking the first time evidence of a vessel departing from Gyeongsang-do has been confirmed.

The institute considers this area to be the estimated site of Mado Ship No. 6 and plans to continue detailed excavations next year to uncover the undiscovered hull and the exact timing of the sinking.

(Photo provided by National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage, Yonhap News)
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