Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient ship near the southern coast of Türkiye. Based on preliminary research, the wreck is believed to be among the oldest known shipwrecks in the world.
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient ship near the southern coast of Türkiye. Based on preliminary research, the wreck is believed to be among the oldest known shipwrecks in the world. Found at a depth of approximately 100 feet underwater, the site has yielded thousands-of-years-old jars, anchors, and other artifacts. The discovery is expected to provide new insights into ancient maritime activities and trade networks.
The discovery was made near Kekova Island in southern Türkiye. According to experts, the jars recovered from the wreck are estimated to be between 4,400 and 4,700 years old. Their structure and design suggest that ancient seafarers used them to transport various goods from one place to another. Researchers say that jars of this type were commonly used in ancient times to transport olive oil. However, distinctive markings on one of the vessels have attracted the attention of experts. These markings have raised the possibility that the container may also have been used to store food products such as cheese or butter.
This possibility has prompted further questions about the daily lives of ancient sailors. Researchers suggest that if the vessels are confirmed to have been used for dairy products, it could indicate that sailors took goats with them on long sea voyages and used their milk to make yogurt and other food items. However, further research is needed to confirm this theory. Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University, who led the expedition, said that the wreck site was identified approximately four years ago. Initially, experts believed that the vessels found there were not particularly ancient. However, comparisons with ancient Egyptian artifacts later revealed the significance of the discovery.
According to Professor Hakan Öniz, the jars discovered near the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt bear striking similarities to those recovered off the coast of Türkiye. Based on these similarities, researchers reassessed the age of the vessels, leading to a revision of their initial estimates. Experts say that an examination of the vessels’ dates and other archaeological evidence has revealed the exceptional antiquity of the wreck. In addition to the jars, anchors and other ancient objects have also been recovered from the site. These artifacts could help researchers better understand ship construction, the transportation of goods, and maritime practices during that period.
The discovery is particularly significant for archaeologists because it opens up new avenues for understanding maritime trade and the lives of sailors thousands of years ago. Further research may help determine what kinds of goods ancient ships transported and how sailors met their dietary needs during long voyages.
