Heze Yuan Dynasty shipwreck excavation under investigation for missing relics

The Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism has launched an investigation following reports of potentially missing cultural relics from a Yuan Dynasty shipwreck excavation in Heze.

According to official reports, the artifacts were originally discovered at a construction site in September 2010. Following rescue excavations conducted by the former Shandong Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and the former Heze Cultural Relics Management Office, items including Yuan blue and white porcelain were transferred to the Heze Museum for safekeeping.

Preliminary assessments of online videos and images suggest that the items reported as missing may be blue and white porcelain fragments. However, a joint investigation team has been established in Heze to conduct a thorough verification. The provincial department stated it will continue to monitor the situation and urge local authorities to strengthen management at archaeological sites to prevent similar risks.