A gold plate is excavated at a historical site in Pengshan, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Jan. 5, 2016. Zhang Xianzhong (1606-47), the leader of a peasant revolt during the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), sank numerous boats filled with treasures in an area covering about one million square meters near a wharf in Pengshan. The plate, 12 centimeters long and 10 centimeters wide, weighs 730 grams, with 29 Chinese characters engraved on it. Experts appraised the plate a "Level I" artifact - China's highest ranking in terms of rarity and importance. Archeologists also found silver ingots, gold and silver coins at the site. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Zhongjun)
