The hardship of searching for Minh's treasure sinks the seabed

Scientists believe that the position of the transport ship filled with treasure from Admiral Zheng's Ming Dynasty sunk to the bottom of the Indian Ocean over 600 years ago may have been identified.

In the fierce naval battle between the Ming navy (1368-1644) and the Sri Lankan natives more than 600 years ago, a huge transport ship carrying gold, precious stones and many valuable artifacts were sunk and sunk to the Indian Ocean.

The ship was part of Admiral Trinh Hoa 's expeditionary fleet, one of the major navigators. The exact location of Trinh Hoa's treasure- laden ship sunk to the bottom of the ocean is still unknown.

However, the secret curtain may be lifted. Recently, scientists said that archaeological research could soon reveal the location of Trinh Hoa's shipwreck and the huge treasure that had been lost since the Ming Dynasty.

Painting of Admiral Trinh Hoa.(Photo: SCMP).

From eunuch to ocean admiral

Trinh Hoa was born in 1371 in a Muslim family. He was an eunuch serving in the Ming Dynasty before becoming an adventurous oceanographer on long expeditions.

From 1405-1433, Zheng He led seven expeditions, expanding the influence of the Ming Dynasty from Southeast Asia to the East coast of Africa. The admiral's ships were filled with gold, silver, precious stones, silk and porcelain, gifts to foreign monarchs in exchange for gems, ivory or other treasures.

Trinh Hoa's expedition arrived in the Indian Ocean around 1410-1411. According to SCMP, this is the time when the Ming Dynasty had the most powerful naval force in the world.

With a fleet of 300 ships, Trinh Hoa and the Ming army attacked Ceylon Island, now Sri Lanka to retaliate against hostile acts aimed at his fleet. Despite winning the war, a ship loaded with Trinh Hoa's wealth was left off Sri Lanka.

Uncover the secrets of hundred-year-old ships

Since 2015, a group of scientists and archaeologists using advanced military sensors have conducted exploration of the seabed off Sri Lanka. The results yielded hope for scientists to find traces of the shipwreck six centuries ago.

In a recent article by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, scientists affirmed the results of "very satisfactory" seabed exploration, the location of shipwrecks or even evidence of some creatives. Ancient work may have been identified.

A ship belonging to Trinh Hoa's fleet was restored based on the history books.(Photos: Pinterest).

SCMP said Chinese government scientists and Sri Lankan archaeologists will conduct a survey again in the region this November.

"The exploration is still in the first steps. We will use the most advanced equipment brought from China," said Professor Prishanta Gunawardhana from Kelaniya University archaeological agency. He is also the head of the Sri Lankan research team.

China plans to deploy an integrated radar system that can provide underwater images with high resolution. Hu Changqing, director of the Department of Acoustic Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is the head of China's scientific delegation in the joint exploration team.

Beijing has long funded research along its fleet of naval routes, commanded by Zheng He, to the Middle East and East African coast. The exploration project in Sri Lanka is just one of many studies being conducted.

Arduous journey of treasure hunt

To operate at a depth of up to 7 km under the Indian Ocean, China will have to deploy small submarines nicknamed Giao Long.

"If the weather conditions allow the operation of optical devices, we will send the Giao Long ship (which can carry 3 people) to the sea floor to learn more thoroughly the debris and collect stool samples. " Min, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Science, told SCMP.

In the case of human-made tasks that are impossible due to natural conditions that are not allowed, the team will use robots that can operate on the seabed for field surveys.

"The wooden structure of the ship can last for centuries in the temperature and salinity of the sea," said Zhu Min.

The cruise lines of Admiral Trinh Hoa.(Photo: SCMP).

However, the biggest challenge for search was to separate the ship's fragments from pebbles and other man-made fragments, which "look exactly like the ship's ruins".

Natural conditions are not the only threat to search.

Treasure hunters have long been eager to access the information of Trinh Hoa's legendary ships. Scientists are concerned that private search boxes approaching the exploration area may cause irreparable damage.

Besides, Beijing's deployment of search activities in the Indian Ocean could be a thorn in New Delhi's eyes. Previous polls off Sri Lanka were under strict scrutiny from India.

"The Indian Ocean has an important role to play in India. Any Chinese activity in the region can cause stress," one team member said.