Underwater excavations off Kekova island in Antalya, Turkey, have revealed amphorae dating back approximately 4,400–4,700 years, believed to belong to an Early Bronze Age wreck. Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy characterized the finds as traces of what may be the world's oldest shipwreck. Earlier underwater surveys by Akdeniz University had identified the wreck, with amphora samples indicating its possible age. Excavations began in 2026 under the Antalya Museum Directorate, with ministry authorization and scientific work led by Associate Professor Hakan Oniz.
Analysis of the clay suggests that the amphorae were probably manufactured in Jordan Valley workshops and may have transported olive oil or wine. Comparable vessels discovered near Egypt's pyramids at Giza, Saqqara, and Abusir, as well as in Troy and Crete, point to an extensive trading network and cultural exchange. Researchers believe the vessel departed from a port on the Levantine coast, along the eastern Mediterranean, bound for Troy or Crete. The finds are expected to deepen understanding of Anatolia's maritime history and regional trade connections.
A particularly distinctive amphora bears nine marks and has two holes in its body. Preliminary examinations suggest it could have served as a churning vessel for cheese or butter production. That interpretation raises the possibility that sailors brought goats on lengthy voyages, milked them aboard, and produced dairy foods themselves. Beyond illuminating commercial cargoes, the discovery therefore offers potential insight into everyday conditions and eating habits at sea. Ersoy also pledged continued research and preservation of underwater cultural heritage for future generations.
