The oldest shipwreck discovered to date is believed to have been found off the southern coast of Türkiye. Archeologist Professor Hakan Oniz said that the vessel, located off the uninhabited Kekova Island, is thought to be the oldest known because of amphoras found among the wreckage.
An amphora is an ancient ceramic two-handled jar. Professor Oniz said on Wednesday that the amphoras are believed to date back between 4,400 and 4,700 years, to the early Bronze Age. He said that their shape matches those produced in the Levant, the eastern Mediterranean region.
“When we recognised that this was the earliest one, it was amazing,” he said.
Analysis of the clay has indicated that the pots originate in the Jordan Valley, he said, adding that the style and decoration of the jars suggest they came from workshops along the coast of what is now Gaza, Israel and Lebanon.
Professor Oniz said similar Levantine amphoras had previously been found in Egypt, near the pyramids. He added that they closely resemble those recovered from the Kekova site.
Comparable jars have also been discovered at Troy, present-day Çanakkale, and on Crete. Professor Oniz said that this may suggest that the ship had been heading to one of those destinations.
The amphoras are thought to have been used to carry wine or olive oil.
Footage released by the Turkish Culture Ministry and filmed by shows archaeologists working at the underwater site, with amphoras still visible on the seabed. A lionfish was seen swimming beside one of the jars.
“We were trying to feel what the captain was feeling, what the sailors were feeling during the accident time,” he said.
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