The museum, thought to be the first of its kind in the world, will involve a five-hall layout costing an estimated ?10 million.
Visitors will be able to view sections of the wreck which, by virtue of its submersion, will not require the usual conservation techniques required to stabilise a structure exposed to air.
The wreck in question is an 800-year-old trader, which was discovered in 24m of water 30 miles west of Hailing Island in the South China Sea.
Since 2002, some 6000 relics are reported to have been recovered, including porcelain, gold artefacts, copper coins and varied jewellery from the Southern Song Dynasty.
A selection of these will be displayed at the museum along with the submerged main wreck remains.
The museum is expected to open around mid-2008. |
