4,700-year-old shipwreck near Kekova island offers insights into ancient seafaring

Archaeological discoveries: Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy emphasized the importance of the underwater discoveries, stating them as a significant contribution to the study and preservation of the country’s maritime legacy.

Amphorae point to ancient trading networks

The retrieved ceramic vessels are estimated to be between 4,400 and 4,700 years old, positioning the potential shipwreck in the Early Bronze Age. Their age and unique features are helping researchers to analyze commercial links between communities in the eastern Mediterranean.

As per Ersoy, clay analyses indicate that the amphorae were probably manufactured in workshops in the Jordan Valley. Similar vessels have been found in Egypt, Troy and Crete, providing evidence of associations between various regions during the period.


The objects are believed to have been used to transport items like olive oil or wine. Researchers have also indicated that the vessel may have departed from a port along the Levantine coast, possibly travelling towards Troy or Crete.

The ship’s wooden structure has reportedly disappeared over time, leaving ceramic remains on the seabed. These artifacts offer researchers with material to analyze the vessel’s possible age and the trading activities connected with its journey.

Excavations examine the underwater remains

Amphora samples gathered during underwater archaeological surveys conducted by Akdeniz University in earlier years had indicated that the vessel could date to the Early Bronze Age.

Excavations at the site started in 2026 with permission from Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry. The work is being conducted under the direction of the Antalya Museum, with Hakan Öniz offering scientific supervision.

Researchers are analyzing the recovered vessels to know their origins, possible contents and importance within ancient maritime commerce. Comparisons with similar discoveries in Egypt, Troy and Crete are helping establish possible connections between production centres and destinations in the area.

Unusual markings offer clues about daily life

A specific amphorae has received attention due to it features nine unique markings and two holes in its body. Researchers believe the vessel may have been a churn amphora, possibly used in the production of cheese or butter.

This possibility raises questions about how sailors provisioned themselves on long voyages.According to researchers, goats could have been placed on ships so the crew could have milk and make dairy products while on the sea.

If supported by further investigation, the interpretation could disclose information regarding food preparation and the practical concerns encountered by ancient seafarers. T

The amphorae’s possible contents remain a significant subject of investigation. Olive oil and wine are among the products connected with this type of vessel, while the markings and physical features of individual examples may offer additional hints regarding their uses.

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Preserving Turkey’s underwater heritage

Ersoy has highlighted the significance of protecting underwater archaeological remains while continuing to analyze their historical importance. The discovery located near Kekova Island adds to the proof researchers use to examine the development of maritime trade in the eastern Mediterranean. Similar artefacts discovered in various places help archaeologists delve into how goods, manufacturing practices and cultural influences moved between ancient communities.

Although the ship’s wooden structure has not survived, its ceramic remains to offer valuable proof. Further analysis of the amphorae and their contents will hopefully shed light on the vessel’s origins, intended destination and role in ancient commerce, researchers say.

The findings currently provide a snapshot of a time when sea voyages connected far-flung settlements through the exchange of goods and knowledge.They also show how objects preserved under the sea can help to reconstruct phases of human activity that would otherwise be difficult to trace.