World's oldest shipwreck discovered off the coast of Turkey
An Early Bronze Age merchant vessel found off the coast of Kekova has broken the record for the world's oldest known shipwreck.
Archaeological work off the coast of Kekova Island in Turkey has uncovered the remains of a merchant ship dated between 4,400 and 4,700 years ago, identified as the world's oldest shipwreck.
Discovery from the Early Bronze Age
The remains discovered by archaeologists off the coast of Turkey, determined to be the world's oldest ship wreck, date back to the Early Bronze Age.
Coinciding with the period when the Great Pyramid was built, this find marks a turning point in maritime history.
Underwater studies off Kekova
Research conducted at a depth of 30 metres on the seabed near Kekova Island in Antalya brought ceramic storage vessels to light.
A team led by Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz from Akdeniz University recovered three stone anchors and over thirty amphorae during these dives.
Dating through amphorae
While the wooden structure of the ship has not survived to the present day, experts dated the vessel thanks to the distinctive shape of the amphorae, which match counterparts in Egypt and the Middle East.
Dr. Karin Sowada from Macquarie University examined a shiny residue found in some of the recovered vessels, which is thought to have possibly been olive oil, wine or resin.
Future exhibition plans
It is estimated that the merchant ship set off from the Eastern Mediterranean coast and was heading towards Troy or the Minoan people in Crete.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that the artifacts will be exhibited at the new Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Antalya.