Ancient Vessel Confirmed As Grain Carrier from Joseon Dynasty

The ancient vessel found November last year was confirmed to be a grain carrier from the Joseon Dynasty. An article released by KBS on November 5, 2014 stated that over a hundred pieces of white porcelain were discovered in the seas off Mado Island in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province.

Around 300 relics, 140 pieces of Buncheong celadon - gray-green or gray-blue glaze used on pottery - from the Joseon Dynasty and some 60 wooden tablets were found from the shipwreck on Wednesday according to the National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage.

These factors, along with the overall structure of the ship, were considered in confirming that the vessel was a jounseon.

This kind of vessel was used during the Joseon Dynasty as carrier of rice collected by the government as tax and then delivered to grain storage facilities in Seoul.

With the recent finding of the ancient vessel, named Mado No. 4, 14 ancient ships were discovered, according to Korea.net on Wednesday. Ten of these were from the Goryeo times - from 918 to 1392, two were 13^th or 14^th-century Chinese ships, and another dated back to the Unified Silla period from 676 to 935.

Although reports say that there were a number of ships sinking close to Mado island. However, it's the first ancient ship recovered in the area. Mado No. 4 measured 2m deep, 5m wide and 13m long.

The 60 wooden tablets with the inscription 'Gwangheungchang' indicated the departure area, which were supposed to be delivered to Naju.

Three of the celadon pottery were also marked 'naeseom', referring to Naeseomsi - the department in-charge with providing supplies for the royal court. These were assumed to date back to early 15^th century because of the patterns.