World’s oldest shipwreck found off Kekova Island in Turkey

The wreck is close to the shore of Kekova Island in Antalya, Turkey. The artefacts lie scattered across an underwater slope, just 30m beneath the waves.

Three large stone anchors were found, as well as more than 30 ceramic storage pots, called amphorae.

The fact that none of the ship’s wood remained meant techniques like radiocarbon dating – which measures a form of carbon in organic materials – could not be used to determine its age.

Instead, archaeologists analysed the shape of the amphorae. Because pottery styles have changed over time, differerent styles are linked to particular periods.

The Kekova ceramics are distinctive, with two handles, a ridge in the middle and a flat base.

Öniz said this design matched other amphorae unearthed in Egypt and the Middle East that were known to be 4,400-4,700 years old.

“Comparing the decoration techniques… we can definitely say our wreck is Early Bronze Age. This is 100%.”