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World's oldest shipwreck discovered off coast of Turkey
Phys.org • • world
Key Points:
- Archaeologists have discovered what may be the world's oldest shipwreck off the coast of Kekova, Turkey, dating to approximately 2700–2400 B.C., potentially older than the previous oldest wreck near Dokos, Greece.
- The shipwreck, though no longer intact, contained pottery vessels that helped date the site and suggest it was part of extensive early Bronze Age trade networks in the eastern Mediterranean.
- The cargo included large ceramic amphorae likely originating from various eastern Mediterranean regions, indicating active maritime trade routes involving commodities such as oils, resins, and metals.
- This find could significantly enhance understanding of ancient trade connections during the pyramid age of Egypt, linking coastal peoples from the Levant and surrounding areas through maritime exchange.
- Further scientific analysis of pottery residues and materials is pending, and a detailed peer-reviewed publication is forthcoming, with ongoing excavations highlighting the rich archaeological potential of Turkey's southern coast.
