The second season of the documentary series "In Search of Ancient China" – jointly produced by China Media Group (CMG) and China's National Cultural Heritage Administration – premiered on December 9 on the group's CCTV-1 channel.
Filmed at archaeological and artifact restoration sites, the production team employed 4K UHD technology to capture intricate details. Advanced technologies – such as artificial intelligence, 3D digital twins and micro-trace restoration – were used to bring the narrative to life. The host narrates ancient stories from within an immersive "Ancient Museum," enhancing the program's interactivity and viewer engagement.
A segment on underwater archaeology highlights discoveries from significant shipwrecks, including the Nanhai No. 1, ancient wrecks off the coast of Zhangzhou in Fujian Province, the Yangtze River Estuary No. 2, and Chinese battleships from the First Sino-Japanese War, known in China as the Jiawu War.
Highlighting over 40 years of underwater archaeology in China, the show captures pivotal moments and groundbreaking achievements, demonstrating how innovative technologies have elevated the country's underwater archaeology to global prominence.