Gold and silver ingots among treasure excavated in Sichuan river

More than 12,000 items that sank to the bottom of a river in Sichuan province over 300 years ago have been recovered, archaeologists said Friday.

A gold ingot unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

The items included a large amount of gold, silver and bronze coins and jewelry as well as iron weapons such as swords, knifes and spears.

A gold ingot unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Silver ingots unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Silver ingot unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Artefact unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Weapons unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Gold ingots unearthed during an archaeological excavation at Pengshan district in Meishan city,
Southwest China's Sichuan province [Credit: China News Service]

Legend had it that in 1646, peasant leader Zhang Xianzhong was defeated by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) soldiers while attempting to transfer his large haul of treasure southward.

About 1,000 boats loaded with money and assorted valuables were said to have sunk in the skirmish.

Source: China Daily [April 23, 2018]