World's Oldest Shipwreck Discovered Off Turkish Coast
An Early Bronze Age vessel, dating back up to 4,700 years, has been found with intact cargo jars.
Archaeologists have discovered what is believed to be the world's oldest shipwreck off the coast of Turkey, dating back between 4,400 and 4,700 years to the Early Bronze Age. The find, located near Kekova Island, predates the construction of the Great Pyramid in Egypt.
The vessel, approximately 10 meters in length, was a trade ship that carried ceramic storage pots, known as amphorae, across the Mediterranean Sea. While the ship's wooden structure has not survived, many of the amphorae found on the seabed remain remarkably intact and some still contain traces of their original contents.
Instead of radiocarbon dating, which requires organic material, archaeologists determined the ship's age by analyzing the distinct shapes of the amphorae. Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University, who led the expedition, stated that the pottery style matches other artifacts from Egypt and the Middle East dated to the same Early Bronze Age period. "The shipwreck is a time capsule at the bottom of the sea," Öniz said.
Three large stone anchors were also recovered from the site, located about 30 meters below the surface. The team believes these were carried as spares for long voyages.
After being brought to the surface, the amphorae are undergoing careful conservation. Dr. Karin Sowada, an archaeologist from Macquarie University, noted the surprising amount of viscous residue still present inside some of the intact jars. The team is working to identify the contents, which could include olive oil, wine, or tree resins. Sowada suggested the residue might also indicate the jars were reused over many years.
The discovery provides insights into ancient trade routes. Researchers theorize the ship departed from the eastern Mediterranean coast, heading towards either the ancient city of Troy in modern-day northwestern Turkey or the Minoan civilization in Crete.
The waters near Kekova Island are known for their treacherous currents and winds, which have historically posed significant dangers to maritime travel and resulted in numerous shipwrecks. The Mediterranean Archaeology Association specializes in studying these underwater sites.
This recent find surpasses the previous record holder for the world's oldest shipwreck, which was found off the coast of Dokos in Greece and dated to approximately 4,200 years ago. The oldest known shipwreck with preserved wooden elements was discovered in the Black Sea off Bulgaria, dating back about 2,400 years.