'World’s oldest known shipwreck' lost more than 4,000 years ago found off Turkey

Archaeologists have uncovered what may be the world's oldest known shipwreck off the coast of Turkey, dating back approximately 4,700 years. The ancient vessel, believed to be around 10 meters in length, was discovered near Kekova Island in Antalya, submerged about 30 meters beneath the Mediterranean Sea. Over 30 ceramic storage jars and three stone anchors were recovered from the site.

While the wooden structure of the ship has not survived, the pottery found at the site allows archaeologists to estimate the ship's age, dating it to between 4,400 and 4,700 years ago during the Early Bronze Age. The vessel is thought to have been used for transporting goods across the Mediterranean, possibly from the Levant towards Troy or Crete.

Clay analyses suggest the amphorae, or jars, were likely produced in workshops in the Jordan Valley and found in similar locations across the Levant, Egypt, and Anatolia. Some jars contained residues that could help determine the type of goods being transported, with further analysis ongoing. The discovery sheds light on trading connections and the extensive trade networks of ancient civilizations during the Early Bronze Age.