The 'royal seal'
This bronze seal, of a size to be grasped in the fist, has the shape of an elephant. The seal's impression is a hare inside two concentric rings.

Only royalty and high-ranking officials carried bronze seals in the early Ming dynasty. Royal seals were given to friendly rulers as evidence of political affiliation, to scare off aggressors. Deceased Chinese emperors were buried with their seal to avoid misuse. Ordinary seals were made of soapstone or jade, and could be resurfaced to change the name. Royal seals were permanent.

Ivory-handled sword
This solid ivory sword handle was accompanied by a 50cm line of oxide stain in the sand, assumed to have been from the corroded blade. Few people could have afforded or been entitled to carry such a delicate sword. It could have belonged to a high-ranking officer, but the location tells us that it was not to be used during the voyage.

Imperial lacquer box
Imperial lacquer ware was made from very thin woven bamboo, covered in hundreds of layers of lacquer, of alternating red and black. Once incised, the fine layers of red and black can be seen in the cuts. Lacquer products were made in many places in China, but this type was made only at imperial factories.