Echoes of Rome in ancient China? What Beijing’s 1,800-year-old ship find reveals

What happened: Researchers unveiled details of three ancient wooden boats unearthed in Beijing and dating back about 1,800 years, described as the first physical evidence of ancient inland water transport in the Chinese capital. Key numbers: Three wooden boats; about 1,800 years old; details presented at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Beijing Public Archaeology Season on Saturday. Why it matters: Researchers say the find offers new evidence of shipbuilding technology and cultural exchanges between ancient China and the rest of the world.

Researchers unveiled details of three ancient wooden boats unearthed in Beijing and dating back about 1,800 years, described as the first physical evidence of ancient inland water transport in the Chinese capital.

Researchers say the find offers new evidence of shipbuilding technology and cultural exchanges between ancient China and the rest of the world.