Ancient luxury tableware recovered from 2,100-year-old shipwreck in Antalya

During excavation works off the coast of Adrasan in Antalya's Kumluca district, antique luxury tableware was brought to light from a 2,100-year-old ceramic-laden shipwreck, shedding light on the trade of the period.

Details of the Shipwreck Excavation

The ceramic-laden shipwreck, whose excavation began in 2025 off the coast of Adrasan in Antalya's Kumluca district, sheds light on ancient table culture and Mediterranean trade. Thousands of artifacts have been recovered to date in operations carried out at depths of 42 to 55 meters below the sea surface.

Statements by Minister Ersoy

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated in his remarks regarding the works that they brought 2,100-year-old tableware from the depths of the Mediterranean to light. He noted that the artifacts recovered from the wreck reveal the production skills and commercial life of the era.

Artifacts of Antakya Origin

The main cargo of the shipwreck consists of plates and bowls of Antakya origin. Among the artifacts thought to have been produced in Hatay's Arsuz district are nut dishes, soup bowls, fish plates, and trays in various sizes. A total of 122 ceramic products in different forms and sizes reflect the rich table culture of the period.

Place in Historical Correspondence

One of the details increasing the historical importance of Arsuz ceramics is that they also appear in the correspondence of the Roman orator and statesman Cicero. In a letter written to his friend Atticus in 50 BC, Cicero recounts that he ordered ceramic vessels from Rhosus for him.

Artifacts Preserved Thanks to Clay

Behind the plates and bowls in the wreck surviving to the present day in good condition is the practice of placing clay between them during loading before they were placed in wooden crates. Coins of Antakya origin from the 1st century BC found on the ship shed light on the dating of the shipwreck.