Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong, Guangdong, China

5Blabbott 5:00 PM Nov 22, 2018

Come see the live archaeological show!
This museum was the reason we decided to make the trek to the area after reading about it in Lonely Planet, and it did not disappoint. I like vising museums, but what I didn't realize is that the museum is also a live archaeological show! In the center of the museum, workers and researchers sift through the artifacts in the holds of the 800 year old ship that sunk and was raised and brought intact from the ocean floor not far from here. Through a glass enclosed inner building, visitors can spend as much time as they like watching the ongoing work progress from viewing areas on two different levels. Crates containing silt caked ceramic plates, bowls and vases are sometimes just inches away from the enclosures for prime viewing. Of course the museum's other exhibits, including a short 3D movie, provide ample explanation of the ship, its cargo and the history of what is referred to as the Maritime Silk Road. But it is the live work being performed here on the ship that is the main attraction. How much longer will the work progress? I don't know, but I would get here soon for front row seat viewing of an amazing archaeological find.

3paynebrown 5:00 PM Aug 9, 2021

Interesting for Adults
We were very excited to see this because we saw the reviews of the underwater excavation inside the building. Unfortunately, it seems that the excavation have been completed and the water has been drained from the tank. The ship wreck itself is still in the tank, but is completely obscured by scaffolding. There were an enormous amount of bowls and dishes and other treasures on display and the process of how they raised the ship was explained in detail. The kids enjoyed running around the giant exhibition halls. However, there were no kid appropriate activities or explanations. Interesting architecture. Good to kill a few hours on a rainy day.