Archeologists are proffering their guesses as to the function of
a ring excavated from the "Nanhai No.1" undersea archeological
site, according to Guangzhou Daily reports.
Tong Mingkang, vice director of the State Administration of
Cultural Heritage, made the guess after he visited the
archeological site in person, saying the so-called bracelet made of
pure gold may actually be a semi-finished ornate door knocker.
Tong said that the ring is too big to be a bracelet; bracelets
often measure six or seven centimeters in diameter, while this
particular ring measures about 10 centimeters. Furthermore,
bracelets are typically complete circles, while this artifact has
the upper section left open. Tong said he thinks this part may have
been attached to a door or a trunk.
Tong's opinion gained support from some local citizens, who
concurred that the ring does indeed resemble the knockers on the
doors of their traditional homes.
However, other experts firmly believe that the salvaged objects
are bracelets.
Archeologist Du Yubing said that, in ancient China, the social
hierarchy was strictly defined and adhered to. This ring, made from
valuable gold, matches the style of the era’s imperial class.?
Additionally, based on the fact that the "Nanhai No.1" was
exporting goods to consumers at the other end of the maritime Silk
Road, Du said, this ring is more likely to be a bracelet.
Other experts say that if the gold ring is a door-knocker, there
is a chance that the attachment might be found somewhere in or
around the wreckage.
Nanhai No.1 was found accidentally in 1987. The ship, more than
25 meters long, is the largest cargo ship from the Song Dynasty so
far discovered.
The total value of the shipwreck may be over US$100 billion.
Salvage work on Nanhai No.1 began in May.
(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2007)
