More scientific studies are still needed to review these gold rings' function. (Photo: Guangzhou Daily)

    BEIJING, June 8 -- Bracelet or door-knocker? Archeologists are proffering their guesses as to the function of a pair of rings excavated from the "Nanhai No.1" undersea archeological site, according to Guangzhou Daily reports.

    Tong Mingkang, vice director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, made the guess after he visited the archeological site in person, saying the so-called bracelet made of pure gold may actually be a semi-finished pair of dazzling knockers.

    Tong said that this pair of rings is too big to be bracelets: bracelets often measure six or seven centimeters in diameter, while this pair of gold rings measures about 10 centimeters. Furthermore, they are not complete circles, with the upper part left open. Tong said he thinks this part to have been attached to a door, or a trunk.

    Tong's opinion gained support from some warm-hearted local citizens, who concurred that the pair of rings do indeed resemble the knockers on the doors of their traditional housing.

    Other experts stick to the opinion that the salvaged objects are bracelets.

    Archeologist Du Yubing said that, in ancient Chinese society, human hierarchy was evident in every nook and cranny, and strictly adhered-to. This pair of rings, made from valuable gold, should, like royal palaces, match the style of their imperial class. Besides, even if they are knockers, he said, they are too soft to make very satisfying knockers.

    Based on the fact that the cargo carried on "Nanhai No.1" were all exporting goods to consumers at the other end of the maritime Silk Road, Du said, this pair of rings are more likely to be bracelets. Indeed, there is a chance that they were aimed at some fat, jolly merchants from central Asia.

    Other experts say that if these gold rings are door-knockers, there is a chance that their attachment might be found somewhere in and around the wreckage. They would need other parts to fulfil their role satisfactorily.

    Nanhai No.1 was found accidentally in 1987. The ship, more than 25 meters long, is the largest cargo ship from the Song Dynasty so far discovered.

    The total value of the shipwreck may be over 100 billion U.S. Dollars.

    Salvage work on Nanhai No.1 began in May.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH. com)