Earliest known shipwreck found in Singapore waters, dated to 1340-1352 CE. A 4-year excavation on the coast of Singapore produced the earliest known shipwreck in the country's waters Archaeologists recovered approximately 2,300 ceramic shards plus several intact or nearly intact pieces; the ship's wooden remains had been completely destroyed by waves, currents, and shipworms Cargo included Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain, green-glazed Longquan celadon, Qingbai/Shufu ware, Dehua white ware, olive-toned green ware from Fujian provincial kilns, and stoneware storage jars and small-mouth jars from Cizao

A 4-year excavation off Singapore's coast recovered the country's earliest known shipwreck. Though the wooden hull was destroyed by waves and shipworms, over 2,350 ceramic shards survived, including Yuan Dynasty porcelain dated to 1340-1352 CE. The cargo challenges views of pre-1819 Singapore as a minor settlement.

Key Facts

  • A 4-year excavation on the coast of Singapore produced the earliest known shipwreck in the country's waters
  • Archaeologists recovered approximately 2,300 ceramic shards plus several intact or nearly intact pieces; the ship's wooden remains had been completely destroyed by waves, currents, and shipworms
  • Cargo included Yuan Dynasty blue and white porcelain, green-glazed Longquan celadon, Qingbai/Shufu ware, Dehua white ware, olive-toned green ware from Fujian provincial kilns, and stoneware storage jars and small-mouth jars from Cizao
  • Blue and white porcelain featuring Mandarin ducks swimming among lotus blooms dates the wreck's final voyage to 1340-1352, before the Red Turban uprisings disrupted production around 1352
  • The vessel was likely a Chinese junk loaded in Quanzhou and bound for Temasek, the historical name for Singapore
  • Decorative patterns on smaller bowls and vases match fragments found at Fort Canning and other Singapore land sites; large blue and white platters popular in India and the Middle East are absent from the cargo
  • The discovery provides strong evidence for a busy trading port in Singapore over 700 years ago, challenging earlier portrayals of pre-1819 Singapore as a minor settlement

Related site: Messina Shipwreck — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: Latest #Archaeology Discoveries: May 2026 by Inside Archaeology