South Korean maritime archaeologists have recovered the intact remains of a 15th-century cargo ship from the seabed, providing one of the strongest physical records yet of the Joseon Dynasty’s maritime logistics network.
The vessel—designated Mado 4—was successfully lifted from the seabed in October 2025, and publicly announced on 10 November by the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage. Mado 4 became the only fully excavated merchant ship from the period, originally discovered off the coast of Taean, South Chungcheong Province in 2015.
Archaeologists recovered over 120 artefacts including wooden cargo tags inscribed with destinations, rice containers and porcelain intended for state tribute. These findings show that the vessel was part of the “joun” system—a government-operated transport network moving grain and goods to the royal capital Seoul (then Hanyang). The ship is believed to have sunk around 1420 while sailing from Naju in South Jeolla Province.
