Discovery of Goryeo Shipwreck Fragments in Taean Mado Waters

Over 500 Artifacts Including Goose-Shaped Wooden Sculptures

The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage announced on the 20th that it has excavated over 500 artifacts, including ship hull fragments from the Goryeo Dynasty and wooden sculptures shaped like geese, in the Mado sea area of Taean-gun, Chungnam Province. The Mado sea area in Taean has long been known for frequent maritime accidents. The "Annals of the Joseon Dynasty" record that about 200 ships sank there over approximately 60 years from 1392 to 1455. Excavations conducted from 2009 to this year have confirmed four ancient ships?three from the Goryeo Dynasty (Mado Ships 1 to 3) and one from the Joseon Dynasty (Mado Ship 4)?along with more than 10,000 artifacts.

The ship hull fragment uncovered in this year’s excavation measures 115 cm in length, 31.5 cm in width, and 15 cm in height. Radiocarbon dating (a method for dating organic materials containing radioactive carbon such as bones, wood, and fibers) estimates it to be from the 11th to 12th century. A representative from the institute stated, "It could be an outer plank from Mado Ship 2 or 3," but added, "We are keeping open the possibility that it belongs to another ship and plan to conduct underwater excavations in the surrounding area next year."

Additionally, the excavated wooden sculpture shaped like a goose is the first artifact of its kind confirmed in domestic underwater excavations. The institute’s representative explained, "Goose-shaped wooden sculptures generally depict a bird perched on a pole, similar to a sotdae, but this artifact shows a bird in flight," adding, "There is no hole underneath." They further elaborated, "Records in the 'Gyeongguk Daejeon' and 'Gukjo Oryeui' mention that geese were used in the five rites such as weddings and ancestral rites, so it is presumed that this was used as an animal offering (供犧) to pray for safe navigation."