World's Oldest Shipwreck, 4,700 Years Old, Discovered Off Turkish Coast
Archaeologists uncover ancient trading vessel carrying storage pots and stone anchors, predating previously known oldest shipwreck.
Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be the world's oldest known shipwreck off the coast of Turkey, with the vessel dating back approximately 4,700 years. The discovery near Kekova Island in Antalya is estimated to have sunk between 2600 BC and 2400 BC, a period contemporary with the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
While the ship's wooden hull has long since disintegrated, divers located a cargo of ancient storage pots and stone anchors resting nearly 100 feet below the surface. The find predates the Dokos wreck in Greece, which was previously considered the oldest known shipwreck.
Researchers report the vessel was approximately 32 feet in length and operated as a trade ship. Professor Hakan Öniz from Akdeniz University and leader of the Mediterranean Archaeology Association expedition, described the shipwreck as "a time capsule at the bottom of the sea."
The site yielded over 30 ceramic pots, known as amphorae, and three stone anchors. Experts suggest the ship was engaged in trade, likely transporting goods such as olive oil or wine across the eastern Mediterranean.
Analysis of the amphorae's clay indicates they were likely produced in workshops located in the Jordan Valley before being transported by sea. Similar findings have been noted near archaeological sites in Egypt, Troy, and Crete, suggesting extensive trade networks existed during the Bronze Age.
The research team hypothesizes that the ship may have set sail from a port on the Levantine coast, heading west towards Troy or Crete, when it encountered disaster. The findings were published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology.
Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, highlighted the discovery as significant for understanding Anatolia's maritime history. He noted one particular amphora with nine different markings and two holes, suggesting it may have been used for cheese or butter production, providing insights into sailors' ability to produce food during long voyages.
