Chinese archaeology heads inland

The work is to be carried out near Laoyemiao, a narrow water channel linking Poyang Lake and the Yangtze River in the country’s eastern Jiangxi Province.

"The Poyang Lake has long been an important water route for ancient porcelain exports, and we think many treasures and secrets may be lying below," Fan Changsheng, Director of Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology, told Chinese media.

Treacherous waters in the region have led to its being nicknamed “China’s Bermuda Triangle”.

The area was also the scene of the 14th century defeat of rival Chen Youliang by Zhu Yuanzhang, founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Parts of the battlefield are thought now to be submerged.