Archaeologists discover 4500 year old shipwreck off the Turkish coast

Archaeologists have completed excavations of an ancient shipwreck off the southern coast of Turkey near Kekova Island, New Scientist reported. Hakan Öniz at Akdeniz University in Antalya, Turkey, led the discovery team. According to New Scientist, the vessel may be around 4500 years old, while News Mobile reported the wreck is 4400 years old. If confirmed, this would make it the oldest shipwreck ever discovered. [1][2]

The research team first identified the site in 2024 during an underwater survey along the Mediterranean coast, New Scientist reported. Excavations ended earlier this month. While the wooden hull of the vessel decomposed long ago, the team retrieved its remaining cargo from the seabed. [1]

The retrieved cargo consists of approximately 30 storage jars known as amphoras, according to New Scientist. Researchers believe the vessel sank during the Early Bronze Age while carrying jars of olive oil, and it may have been traveling to the ancient city of Troy. [1]

Modern Turkey occupies territory that historically hosted numerous ancient civilizations, including the Hittites and Byzantines, before serving as the core of the Ottoman Empire. [5]