An ancient vessel found in the Yellow Sea off South Chungcheong Province last year was confirmed to have sunken nearly 600 years ago.
 
The National Research Institute of Maritime Cultural Heritage announced the finding on Thursday as it wrapped up the inspection of the Mado 4 vessel, which was discovered underwater off Mado, Taean County last year.
 
Studying Buncheong celadon and wooden tablets found with the vessel, the institute concluded that the ship sank while carrying grain from Naju, South Jeolla Province to Gwangheungchang in Hanyang, now Seoul, between 1417 and 1421. 
 
About 300 artifacts were discovered with the shipwreck, including 140 pieces of Buncheong celadon, or grayish-blue-powdered celadon from the Joseon Dynasty, and about 60 wooden tablets.
 
The institute also discovered that the grain carrier had two masts unlike any other ancient ship found in Korean waters. The sailors aboard the ship were also presumed to have used iron nails when repairing the ship.
 
The detailed finding of the Mado 4 will be disclosed to the public through a report, which will be issued by the institute next year.