Seawater was highly corrosive, but bronze resisted corrosion in seawater better than copper, tin, or lead.
This was determined by its properties as an alloy. The lead in it was the hardest to corrode, so bronze artifacts with a high lead content remained relatively well preserved even in seawater.
Most bronze artifacts were unearthed from tombs, and very few were salvaged from the sea. But Ye Yaodong felt that these bronze artifacts had been stolen and transported by sea, only to end up in the water after an accident.
After all, many of their country's antiques, porcelain pieces, paintings, and calligraphy works had been stolen and taken abroad during wartime.
"This ding cauldron doesn't look all that special." Father Ye shone a flashlight over it, walking around it, but still couldn't see what made it a treasure.
"For something thousands of years old to survive until now, especially in the sea, is already rare enough."
"That's true." Hearing this explanation, Father Ye thought it made sense. Any machine left by the sea would rust easily, let alone something that had soaked in the sea for thousands of years and still came out intact.
"Hey, didn't you say there was more down there? Are you going back in? Why not wait until tomorrow?"
"Never mind the rest, but I saw a black box. I'll go down and get that first."
After saying this, Ye Yaodong glanced around the sea. Fortunately, the two boats he had just spotted with their lights on in the distance weren't heading their way. They were probably from another village.
"It's dark already. You won't be able to see. Why not tomorrow?"
"I'm afraid tomorrow will be too late. I'd better go down now." As he spoke, he put his diving equipment back on.
"How would it