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An ancient shipwreck off Turkey's Mediterranean coast, estimated to be around 4,700 years old, has been discovered. Located near Kekova Island in Antalya, the wreck sits approximately 30 meters underwater. The discovery, announced by Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, includes over 30 ceramic storage jars and three stone anchors.

Researchers believe the ship, which was about 10 meters long, was used for transporting goods across the Mediterranean during the Early Bronze Age, between 4,400 and 4,700 years ago.

Although the wooden structure of the vessel no longer exists, scientists have been able to estimate its age by comparing the shapes and decoration of the pottery with similar items found at other archaeological sites. The oldest known shipwreck before this discovery was found near the Greek island of Dokos in 1975, which dates back to around 2200 BC.

The Kekova wreck may provide evidence of trading connections between the Levant, Egypt, and Anatolia during the Early Bronze Age. Clay analyses suggest the amphorae, which were likely used for transporting goods like olive oil, wine, tree resins, or other commodities, were produced in workshops in the Jordan Valley. Similar vessels have been found near the Egyptian pyramids and on the island of Crete, hinting at possible trade routes between these regions.

Further examination of the recovered jars is ongoing to determine their contents, which could shed light on what the ship was transporting. One jar, marked with nine symbols and featuring two holes, may have served a different purpose, possibly acting as a churn for making cheese or butter. This discovery adds to Turkey's Bronze Age maritime history, with the Uluburun shipwreck being another significant find from around 1300 BC.