Archaeologists in Türkiye may have found the world’s oldest shipwreck

THE TAKEAWAY

Archaeologists in Türkiye have discovered what may be the world’s oldest known shipwreck, with artifacts dating back nearly 5,000 years.

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Although the ship itself has deteriorated, archaeologists uncovered ancient ceramic storage jars known as amphorae near Kekova Island, off Türkiye’s southern coast.

The jars date back approximately 4,700 years to the Early Bronze Age and are believed to have been used to transport goods across the Mediterranean.

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According to Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Türkiye’s minister of culture and tourism, underwater excavations were conducted to shed light on the history of maritime trade along the Anatolian coast.

The ancient jars were discovered approximately 100 feet below the water’s surface, offering new insights into early trade connections across the eastern Mediterranean.

Clay analyses indicate that the amphorae were likely produced in workshops in the Jordan Valley. Similar examples have been found in Egypt, Troy and Crete.

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Researchers believe the amphorae were used to transport products such as olive oil or wine, suggesting the ship may have carried these goods across the Mediterranean.

Additionally, one of the amphorae discovered at the site featured nine different markings and two holes in its body.

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Researchers believe the jar may have been used to churn cheese or butter, leading them to suggest that sailors produced their own food during long voyages.