A record recovered from the water
Korea's underwater excavations began off Sinan in 1976. The objects found along ancient maritime routes offer clues to the people and goods once travelling through East Asia. In Mokpo, the anniversary exhibition 'Wood That Crossed the Sea: Rosewood' focuses on rosewood recovered from the Sinan shipwreck and the maritime connections of the 14th century.
Wood was not simply a raw material: as cargo, it travelled between ports and suggests a network of merchants and craftspeople. The institute's anniversary programme also describes 3D scanning and infrared documentation of rosewood, offering a glimpse of how heritage objects are studied and conserved.
Plan your visit
The public exhibition runs September 15, 2026–February 14, 2027. September 14 was a separate internal opening ceremony. Special evening opening on September 17–19 has already ended and does not extend today's regular hours.
The museum is at 136 Namnong-ro, Mokpo. Standard information lists free admission, 09:00–18:00 hours with last entry at 17:00, and Monday closure. Reconfirm access, guided activities and any temporary closures through the official site or 061-270-3001.
Pair the special show with the permanent galleries on traditional vessels and recovered seafaring objects to imagine how cargo crossed the sea centuries ago.