Ancient Chinese ships linked to Roman shipbuilding techniques

Archaeologists in Beijing, China, discovered three well-preserved wooden ships dating back approximately 1800 years in the bed of the ancient Yundinhe River.

These flat-bottomed vessels originate from the period between the Han Dynasty and the Wei-Jin era, spanning from 206 BCE to 420 CE. They represent the largest and best-preserved examples of river ships from that era ever found in northern China.

The largest ship measures 14 meters in length and features Chinese characters meaning "official" or "state" on its wooden components. These markings suggest the vessels served government purposes. Researchers are particularly interested in the hull construction, where planks with specially cut edges fit tightly together and were reinforced with wooden pegs.

This specific assembly method was common in Mediterranean shipbuilding during the Roman era from the 1st century BCE to the 5th century CE, but it is rarely seen outside that region. Experts believe the discovery provides new evidence of cultural and technological exchange between the East and the West. While the similarity in construction does not prove direct contact or technology transfer between Roman and Chinese shipbuilders, it adds to the history of ancient trade.

During the Han Dynasty, China exported silk to the West while importing horses and grapes. Historical records from 166 CE mention people claiming to be Roman ambassadors arriving in China via sea routes through modern-day central Vietnam.