The tiny octopus was clutching an old plate, manoeuvring the disc over its little body in a bid to look as dull and uninteresting to the fisherman as possible.
But its efforts proved anything but.
The octopus – its body about the size of an orange – had grabbed a piece of lost treasure that day in May, and it has since led South Korean archeologists to discover the most stunning porcelain cache in the region.
Archeologists and divers are now removing the high-quality green and blue-green glazed porcelain plates from what appears to be a 12th-century shipwreck in mudflats.
An excavation team worker recreates how an octopus helped lead archeologists to a major find of ancient porcelain buried under the sea for centuries in this undated handout released by the National Maritime Museum in Mokpo, South Korea. (National Maritime Museum, Mokpo/Reuters)
“These are the highest quality artifacts ever discovered in our seas,” said Yun Yong-i, a Korean art history professor at Myongji University.
So far, 542 pieces have been recovered, but the wreck could yield thousands more: Another 2,000 have been seen in the wreck, and divers have yet to finish searching the ship.
The collection includes hundreds of well preserved celadon cups, bowls, plates and other works.
Mr. Yun, who verified the authenticity of the find, said the items were for the noble class and government officials in the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled from AD918-1392 and was famed for its porcelain. The ancient collection will be handed over to the government.
It would have remained undiscovered if not for the octopus.
The animal was nestled in a trap made of shells laid out by a fisherman, and it was clutching one of the ancient plates over the trap entrance in an attempt to hide.
The fisherman reported his plate find to authorities.
“I can't believe how such a small octopus managed to cover its shell with a such a large plate,” said Moon Whan-suk, an official at National Maritime Museum, from the ship that is serving as the headquarters of the excavation
“I guess it meant for us to discover the artifacts,” Mr. Moon said.
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