On April 27, Chinese archaeologists completed their first deep-sea archaeological survey in the north reef waters of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, Xinhuanet.com reported.

The survey team successfully collected specimens of cultural evidence. The completion marks the news that China now possesses the capability of deep-sea archaeology.

During the survey, the Chinese manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, or “Deep Sea Warrior,” conducted 7 dives over a period of 66 hours and 51 minutes, with some dives reaching a depth of 1,003 meters.

Song Jianzhong, deputy director general of the National Center of Underwater Cultural Heritage, noted that through this survey, they got to know the landform of deep sea in the South China Sea more comprehensively.

In addition, Song disclosed that they will carry out comprehensive analysis and discussion of the data collected during the survey, which they believe will help discover and protect cultural relics in the South China Sea.

This survey will also help to promote research as well as develop techniques and equipment for deep-sea archaeology, and China’s development in the field, said Peng Xiaotong, chief scientist of the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).