Artefacts, gems, votive offerings, coins and funerary urns found in wake of Chinese Fleet
(i) Far East and Indian Ocean
– All over the area, too numerous to mention.
– Reader points out that there is a great deal of treasure and data from the Ming dynasty in the Taipei Palace museum, Taiwan. He believes that it will offer more evidence to support ‘1421’. Would be good to hear from anybody who has visited this museum.
(ii) Africa
– Pate – bronze lion.
– Shimoni is a village about 40 miles south of Mombasa and in Swahili means ‘in the hole’. Here there are caves where slaves used to be held in transit. Just south is the small island called Wasini (Swahili for ‘people of the China tribe’). There are Chinese tombs on this island. (Prof Robin Pingree)
– A reader points out that, with regards to the shipwreck off the Transkei coast, South Africa mentioned in 1421, after certain storms in that area, cornelian beads wash up on the rocks. (Caroline Hunt)
– Links between China and the Shona people of Zimbabwe? A Reader heard a learned Shona man speak on his travels to China, and he asserted that the Shona people’s ancestors were in fact the Chinese. He based his theory on linguistic and cultural similarities between the two: from memory he cited the word for ‘elephant’ – ‘nzou’ in Shona – as being an exact match phonetically. Great Zimbabwe, an enormous maze of stone ruins, is believed to be the medieval trading centre of Southern Africa. Chinese artefacts have been discovered here, and it has been claimed that gold mined in the area was traded for rice and other agricultural product. Suddenly and inexplicably, in about 1450, the empire collapsed and split into several tribes that moved north towards better agricultural land – a result of China closing its borders to trade several years earlier and abandoning its mining ‘colony’? (Michael Bailey)
(iii) Atlantic
– Azores – Corvo statue of rider on horseback
– Bimini – marble head.
(iv) North America (Pacific coast)
Alaska – two small Chinese necklaces with round wooden decoration found buried at Nome and the Natatorium (Paul Erlam evidence)
British Columbia – ‘Chinese’ lamp; votive offerings, Shu Lao; sackfuls of Chinese coins; Buddhist statuette; Korean burial urn (R Hassell).
We have been told of a piece of bronze-work that was hauled up by a fishing boat near the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in the early to mid 1970s. At the time, it was thought by archaeologists from Washington State University to be of Chinese origin, and possibly a ship’s decoration of some kind. The archaeologists, led by Dr. Richard D. Daugherty of WSU, had hoped to acquire the relic, but it was sold to a private party. Does anybody have any more news on this item? Steven C. Brown
Vancouver – carved totem faces (Wu Han)
California – Avalon Harbour – treasure box (Steve Haynes);
California beach – stone with Chinese writing (Steve Elkins);
California, San Clemente, The markings on a bronze artifact look similar to some marking patterns for bronze artifacts of the Shang Dynasty in China. (KC Mak)
Arizona Grand Canyon – statuettes of Buddha (Jake Smothers);
Colorado Granby Dam – ‘guardian’ statue with Chinese inscriptions (Thad Daly).
California – Carved stone about 6″ long, scaled down copy of the Easter Island statues. The owner, Dr. Archibald Rutledge, says it had been found in California and given to him for his artefacts collection. He said it was made from a type of stone indigenous to China. (Charles F. Marschner)
Santa Catalina Island – in the 1950’s, U.C.L.A. carried out several archaelogical digs on the island. Many early Chinese artefacts were found, including jade carvings, fish hooks and even a small replica of a junk. (Richard Pozzo)
Illinois River -The Piasa monster – Father Marquette’s description of this painted beast is virtually an exact match for the dragon heraldry of the Yellow Emperor, Huang Di. Please refer to the link at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon Was the Piasa an Imperial dragon, proudly proclaiming China’s claim on the Mississippi Valley? – Mark Nickless
Washington Burial site – An article in the local Seattle Times, December 2004, stated how an American Indian burial site was being excavated at a village known as Tse-whit-zen. ‘The excavation inadvertently unearthed Tse-whit-zen, the largest prehistoric Indian village ever discovered in Washington, portions of which date back more than 1,700 years. … the history of the explorers who first made contact with the tribes’ ancestors on these same shores, bringing smallpox and other diseases that filed the tribal graves being unearthed today.’ The other site is the site of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. ‘…We have found whale out here on which our ancestors had feasted. We found all kinds of trade materials from ivory to Chinese coins, which our medicine men in those times took in trade for services that they may have provided to those that went by in the ships that came to the harbour areas here.’ The site of the village is at Port Angeles in Washington State. The above is clear reference to pre-Columbian visits and trade on the west coast of N. America. (Roger Hodge)
San Celmente– Artefact found on beach in San Clemente, embedded in the sandstone cliff with a portion exposed. Carbon testing could not get an exact date but the item was deemed to be very ancient. There are Mesoamerican type markings (square spiral) and a Demon/Deity face with slanted eyes and a wide grin it appear to have been cast in three parts (3 cast lines 3 faces etc.) from a Bronze alloy (Haze B. Robinson III)
The Nez Perce Indian Reservation, Idaho – has a 300-year-old Nez Perce dress that supposedly had Chinese beads on it. It is only about 300-350 miles from the west coast (Seattle area) and they are known to have traded with coastal tribes. That is also about the time they acquired horses (around 1700) from the Spanish via the Shoshone Indians who live a little further to the south east. So the beads could have come from either direction if not directly from the Chinese themselves. The Nez Perce are well known for horse breeding. It is said that they mix Spanish horses with horses from Mongolia/China. (David Classen)
Mississippi River– Article in Harpers New Monthly Magazine (Feb 1875) that describes some ancient mounds along the Mississippi River near Memphis, Arkansas. It suggests that there was Asian trade with North America as early as 1125 BC. It also describes an Oriental looking Idol and Malay Water Coolers that were found at the bottom of burial mounds that predate European settlement of America. (Bernard Peasley )
Alaska – Article in the Lowell Journal (Kent County Michigan) dated April 28, 1897, referenced an article in the St. Louis Globe. A Professor Alfred Aldridge was exploring the Kuwalic River when he noticed that a great body of earth had been disturbed as in an avalanche. He found a large number of relics including pottery and walls of dull gray masonry set in mortar. The sandstone blocks were of beautiful symmetry and fairly even in size. He dug into a room where he found more pottery, pots ,vases, cups, plates, jugs, pipes, arrows, spears of odd design, scrapers, hatchets, and drills. Some of the jars were exquisitely shaped and 8 feet tall. He said some of the light brown earthenware was similar to what he had found in New Mexico some years before. Apparently he felt he had discovered a prehistoric city of possible Asian origin. (Larry Wittenbach) Any more information on this site would be appreciated.
A reader has brought our attention to a very interesting article with accompanying illustrated plate from the Smithsonian in 1892. The citation is “Proceedings of the United States National Museum”, Volume XV, No. 899, 1892, page 221 (with Plate XXIV). This article, titled “Chinese Relics in Alaska” by Lieutenant T. Dix Bolles of the USN, describes a wooden mask that was donated to the Smithsonian in the 1880s. It was taken from a grave located near Chilcat Village. The mask includes two large bronze Chinese Temple Coins, used as the eyes in the mask. The age of the mask was determined by discussions with the local Chilcats, who indicated that the grave was that of a medicine man who had died two hundred years previously. If true, that would date the mask to the late 1600s. Bolles writes “… I am free to confess that I see no other possible conclusion to draw than that these coins were obtained two hundred years ago, and the natural surmise is that they came from a junk driven on the coast, Chinese most likely… To those who doubt the advent of junks on the West Coast at this early date, these facts will probably not be satisfactory, but it will be necessary for them to break down by direct evidence such a strong plea…” – James L. Huesmann
North America (Atlantic Coast)
Maine – Urn made in the rope and coil method intricately carved with dragons on the outside (c11in high and 8in in width) was found in Portland Harbour, Maine, whilst it was being dredged in the 1950’s. The celestial Chinese dragon is comparable as the symbol of the Chinese race itself. Dragons are seen as the divine mythical creature that brings wealth and good luck. See gallery for photographs. (Al St. Amand)
Washington State – A Chinese artefact which was discovered in Washington State, USA, in the mid 1800s, in the Puyallup area. It was found by a family of new settlers to the area while they were digging a well soon after arriving. A Chinese calligraphy expert/artist believes this is a chop, or seal from long ago. He also believes he recognizes the characters for “emperor” amongst others on the seal. The artefact was studied by Dr. S.L. Lee of www.Asiawind.com, an expert in Chinese calligraphy and an artist (Stephen Duncan)
Canada – Chinese coin – there is an archaeological site about an hour west of Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, called Chinlac. Chinlac was a centre for the Carriers, and was abandoned before European contact. In the 1990’s, one of the seven longhouses was excavated, and they found a Chinese coin from the 1200’s. (Stan Anonby)
Georgia & Nevada – Ming Funerary Unrs – a) Canton, Georgia (temporarily stored in the Smithsonian) (Mark Smith evidence) (b) Nevada (John Church evidence)
Straight of Georgia – Coin dug out of an embankment at Ocean Park, BC which is approximately 15 miles north of the 49th parallel on the shores of the Straight of Georgia. The size of the coin is 28 millimeters in diameter and it weighs 10 grams.This can be compared to that of the size of a Canadian Dollar or Loonie except the Loonie only weighs 8 grams. The date on the coin appears to be 1285 with 3 characters above that. The opposite side has a 6 pointed star. (Wilson Beck ) If you would like to view an image of this coin please see the gallery section of the website or click here
St. Lawrence Island – an ivory carved alligator. It was recovered from an old house site. Reports tell how the native men of St. Lawrence Island, King Island and Little Diomede Island have tattoos of small dots. These dots are found to be on the spots of the Chinese acupuncture points (Joseph Davis)
Vancouver Island – Chinese coins on strings, Tang dynasty onwards, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Storm Bay, Tasmania and Palmer River goldfields, Australia (T Abramson).
Washington, Port Angeles – Lower Elwha Tribe of Port Angeles find old Chinese coins whilst excavating ancient Indian burial site. The site is where the sections of the hood canal floating bridge were to be built. Over 1,000 tribal ancestors have been discovered at the burial site. The Tribe’s website is http://WWW.ELWHA.ORG (Linden Richter)
Washington Potters – ceramic artefacts, Lake River (Terry Glavin The Last Great Sea);
Massachusetts – A reader found what seems to be a pendant with hieroglyphics on it whilst digging on the banks of the Taunton River in Fall River, MA. He will be sending us photographs shortly – Nicholas Santos
· Alaska An archaeology student working on Kodiak Island stated that the Aleutiq natives, (also known as the Koniag), of the Kodiak area had Chinese coins when the first Russians arrived there. More information could be gleaned from the Aleutiq museum in Kodiak. (Dan DeRoux)
· A plain brass disk has been unearthed in a very scantly populated area of the eastern United States, several hundred miles from the coast at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. On one side, it bears the inscription of six Chinese words “Da Ming Xuan De Wei Ci” meaning “commissioned to be granted by Xuan De the emperor of Great Ming.” Dr. Siu-Leung Lee, a biochemist and resident of Columbus, Ohio, believes the medallion, and the intriguing circumstances surrounding the local area and people where it was found, could provide proof of Zheng He’s fleets’ contact with North Carolina. To read his press release please click here
(v) Meso and Central America
Mexico – lacquer boxes; Roman bust (Joluca); dyestuffs; Jacutacato shroud;
Copper ornaments; Chinese vases (Azacapotazlo and Hue Hutitlan).
Little Chinaman (Teotihuacan) terracotta figurines of S E Asian people (Niven); Chinese bronzes (Romeo Hristov); Chinese totems (I B Remsen).
California – early Ming brass plate (A D Palmer).
Mexico – A metal carving (bronze?) of a Chinese cart driven by a horse found in Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula in a small town called Bacalar. This same image has been seen in a number of works in the National Museum in Taipei – Leesie Mappes.
Mexico – Reader recalls viewing a co-worker’s collection of artifacts from the state of Chiapas, Southern Mexico. He was shown two Chinescas – terracotta-looking figurines, 6 or 7 inches high with clear and distinctive Chinese facial features. He was told that that Chinese junks had visited the west coast of Central America long before Columbus. The eyes of these figures were Chinese. (Dan Leigh)
Guatemala – Bass relief of a Chinese man dressed with a tunic and Chinese head dress and long beard discovered in Tikal, one of important Mayan cities in the middle of the Jungle of Peten, Guatemala. This city was lost for a while after being abandoned by the Mayas sometime before Columbus arrival. (L. Fernando Requena, PE, DEE)
(vi) South America
Peru – bronzes with Chinese inscriptions (Trujillo); pottery with Chinese inscriptions (Nasca).
Figurines with Chinese inscriptions, e.g. Tai-chi; silver idol with Chinese inscriptions (Trujillo) and clay figurines.
Brazil – Surui – gems (Paul Yih)
Source ” the power of gold” by Peter Bernstein – ref: Atahualpa’s gold taken by Spaniards, Jan Mirchell collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY. ” there are even earlier objects with clear Chinese and Vietnamese influence which suggest that Asian sailors were finding the way across the pacific at a time when Europeans were barely managing to paddle themselves around the Mediterranean, admittedly we do not know whether the Asian sailors ever found their way back” citing Emmerich, 1965 .pp. 173-174 (John Fischer)
Peru & Colombia Reader claims that in the National Collection in Bogotá, Colombia, and in the National Collection in Lima, Peru there are pre-Columbian clay statues that clearly represent Chinese people. ( Klaus Jaffe)
Brazil – A Brazilian antique collector believes that he has in his collection an ancient navigational instrument, a compass, found in a bottom of a South American river closer to the Atlantic Ocean. The said compass is made of freeblown black glass, full of air bubbles, roundish/flat shape, measuring 8,5 x 3,5 cm, pontil scar at the bottom: 3,0 cm, weighs approx. one pound, circa: 1400s. Its intricate magnetic mechanism still works perfectly (it comprises of one needle with a higher end that points to the North pole and the lower to the South – the magnetic mechanism is inside of a tiny cone shape recipient built in the molten black glass). In 2002, he showed it to some scientists at the British Museum/Greenwich Observatory in London who told him that it was unique, ancient and that was the first time they have seen such a navigational instrument. They said that its origin could be China and that it was not European. Gavin Menzies is due to meet with this collector and we will hopefully put some photos of the instrument in the gallery section in the near future. (Elisio Domingues de Souza)
· Lonely Planet comment on the Museo Litico Pucara: “…displaying a surprisingly good little selection of anthropomorphic monoliths from the town’s pre-Inca site, which was connected to the ancient Tianhuanco culture”. In this museum, there are sculptures with what they describe as ‘Mongolian Heads’. In the garden the monoliths are also of oriental design depicting a tortoise with a monolith on its back, similar albeit smaller than an item visited on travels to China in the Ming Tombs near the Great Wall. (Greg Guilford)
· The Isla Del Sol Museum displays an item of ceramincs entitled ‘Del Oriente’, which looks totally out of place in this museum with Pre-Incan culture and the birth of Manco Paca everywhere. Does anyone have any further information on this piece? (Greg Guilford)
(vii) Australia
NS Wales – onyx scarab, Shao Lin’s head, stone heads
Queensland – Hanuman, Ganesh, Onyx scarab
Arnhem Land – figurine of Shu Lao.
Warrnambool – Incense Urn found in the form of a ship’s anchor standing upright, topped by a bird with wings outstretched around which a slender dragon is entwined (Patrick Connelly)
Pskov coin of 1400’s found in Gympie, Australia. Pskov was an old fortress city in Russia when it was ruled by the Mongol-Chinese. This astounding find shows that trade took place between Australia and Russia at this time – Brett Green
Darwin Four large shell middens found on the land next to the Howard River which runs into Shoal Bay to the East of the current city of Darwin. It is claimed that they were constructed by Aborigines but it seems doubtful. Could there be a link between the middens next to the Howard River and the voyages of the Chinese fleets that visited Darwin? (Laurence Ah Toy)
Chinese coins on strings, Tang dynasty onwards, Storm Bay, Tasmania and Palmer River goldfields, Australia (T Abramson).
Visitors to our website have reported finding a Chinese teapot, similar to the one found in Gympie. Both can viewed here. Most recent find, purchased at auction in Ballarat, Australia, had been buried as the spout was full of soil. As you see it is in good condition and pours beautifully – Michael Zuschke
The
(viii) Pacific
Hua Atoll (Tuomotu Archipelago) – emerald ring
Hawaii – helmet and iron weapons (there is no iron in Hawaii).
(ix) New Zealand
Two lions (Brett Green)
South Island – Artifacts some 650 years old have been found at Westport in the South Island of New Zealand. (Peter Robinson)
A reader in New Zealand has found ten clay skulls together in monument form, along with other clay forms (cats, birds, dragons, and buffaloes.) The find was uncovered 3 metres deep in a road slip. The reader believes the finds to be pre-Maori, and there is no history or sign of Maori occupation in the area. Photographs of these objects will be posted on our “Gallery” soon.
(x) Europe
After having read the article on the seals in the 1980 book by Welfare and Fairley “Mysterious World” Reader wonders if it is possible that the Chinese Porcelain Seals which were discovered in Ireland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries could be connected in some way to the voyages of Zheng He. (Robert G Hardy).
On 8th May 2006, Mr. Runtian Sun, Chairman of the Nordic Association for the Collection and Preservation of Chinese antiques, Lynqby, Denmark, emailed to say his Association had in its possession a Shui Jian – that is a large basin or small bath, originally owned by Admiral Zheng He. On the rim of its mouth are engraved 13 Chinese characters reading from right to left as “用置和郑监太使正差钦国明大” (pronounced as Da Ming Guo Qin Chai Zheng Shi Tai Jian Zheng He Zhi Yong). Gavin travelled to Denmark to view the Shui Jian. A memo can be read here
CHINESE RELICS UPDATE:
Cultural relic experts and NGOs have set the wheels in motion to begin reclaiming China’s national treasures from abroad. Statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization suggest about 1.67 million Chinese cultural relics are held by more than 200 foreign museums in 47 countries. Some estimates put the number of relics collected by private individuals at 10 times that figure. (Miss Hui).
Related galleries: Metal artefacts, Cave art, Stone buildings, mortar and carvings
