Ancient shipwreck discovery in Turkey

Archaeologists have identified what is believed to be the world’s oldest known shipwreck off the coast of Kekova in Antalya, Turkey. Located approximately 30 meters below the surface, the site dates to the Early Bronze Age, between 2700 and 2400 B.C. (potentially as far back as 4,700 years ago), a period contemporaneous with the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Although the wooden hull of the 10-meter-long vessel has not survived, the cargo remains largely intact. An expedition led by Associate Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University and archaeologist Dr. Karin Sowada recovered three large stone anchors and over 30 ceramic amphorae. These amphorae feature a distinctive design with two handles and a raised horizontal clay belt, serving as an early prototype for standardized maritime shipping containers.

Due to the absence of organic material for radiocarbon dating, researchers determined the age of the wreck by analyzing the specific shapes and decorations of the pottery, which align with artifacts from Egypt and the Middle East. Preliminary assessments suggest the cargo may have originated from the Central Jordan Valley and contained high-value goods such as tree resin, wine, olive oil, silver, or cedar. The discovery is expected to provide significant insights into early maritime trade networks and naval technologies in the Eastern Mediterranean, potentially linking the Levant to civilizations such as Minoan Crete or Troy.