From the Beeb: Ancient ship raised from South China Sea.

Chinese archaeologists have raised a merchant ship which sank in the South China Sea 800 years ago while transporting a cargo of precious porcelain.

The Nanhai 1 treasury ship, built during the Song dynasty which ruled China from 960-1279, is believed to contain one of the biggest discoveries of Chinese artefacts from that period.

"It’s the biggest ship of its kind to be found,” said professor Liu Wensuo, and archaeologist from Sun Yat-sen University.

"It lay in about 25m (82ft) of water and was covered in mud – perfect conditions for preservation. Both the ship and its contents are in exceptionally good condition." [continue]