Turkish scientists find shipwreck dating back to 1500, containing largest                                   collection of archaeological dishes (Anatolia)


In a rare archaeological discovery, Turkish scientists have found a 1,500-year-old shipwreck off the coast of the Ayvalik district of Balikesir province in western Turkey. The wreck contains the largest collection of archaeological dishes ever discovered in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas. This discovery was made as part of the "Blue Heritage: Turkish Shipwreck Property" project, led by Harun Ozdaş, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology at 9 Eylül University in Izmir, and supported by the Turkish Presidency and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The project aims to identify the submerged cultural heritage on the Turkish coasts and draw detailed maps using advanced technology.

The scientific team that participated in the research within the project "Blue Heritage: Turkish Shipwreck Property" led by the Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology at 9 Eylül University in Turkey, Harun Ozdaş (Anadolu Agency)

Underwater Search Journey

During search operations using underwater robotic vehicles designed by Turkish scientists, the wreck was located 2.5 nautical miles off the coast of Ayvalık, 43 meters below sea level. The Deputy Director of the Institute, Dr. Nilhan Kızıldag, explained that the site contains about 10,000 ceramic plates, making it a unique discovery in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

Experts reported that the wreck is well preserved due to its deep location, far from the usual environmental influences.

Photogrammetric studies, a scientific technique used to measure and document dimensions, distances and shapes, have revealed the presence of about 10,000 plates within the wreckage site (Anatolia)

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Dr. Harun Ozdaş, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Technologies at 9 Eylül University, explained that the “Blue Heritage” project is focusing this year in particular on conducting detailed research in the Northern Aegean region, with the aim of establishing an integrated geographic information system dedicated to underwater marine cultural heritage.

Özdaş pointed out that the team he leads carried out a wide range of important activities, including acoustic mapping using sonar technology and advanced robotic devices specially designed for these purposes.

He pointed out that these activities resulted in the discovery of clear indicators on the seabed at a depth of up to 43 meters, indicating the presence of a historical shipwreck dating back to a long time ago.

The discovery will open new horizons for studying ancient maritime trade and enhance Türkiye's position as a global center for studying maritime heritage (Anatolia)

He continued by saying:

“After pinpointing the location, we carried out a series of diving activities using advanced techniques to examine the wreck. Unlike previous discoveries that often involved finding amphorae (earthenware jars), in this case we found very large stacks of dishes, neatly arranged in stacks stacked on top of each other. Based on initial analyses and estimates, we believe that the ship came from North Africa or Cyprus and was heading to Istanbul when it sank as a result of a strong storm off the coast of Ayvalik.”

The "Blue Heritage: Turkish Shipwreck Property" project aims to identify submerged cultural heritage on the Turkish coasts (Anadolu Agency)

Dr. Ozdaş added that the discovered ship is about 15 meters long and 9 meters wide, and that the scientific team that participated in the research found a small amount of amphorae in the wreckage, in addition to the plates that constituted a large part of the cargo. Ozdaş noted that historical records indicate that ceramics produced in areas such as Cyprus, North Africa, Egypt and Syria were regularly transported to Anatolia, Greece or Italy. He pointed out that the collection of plates found in this wreckage is very rare, which makes it a discovery of great historical and archaeological value.

The site contains about 10 thousand ceramic plates, which makes it a unique                                                 discovery (Anatolia)

Dr. Harun Ozdaş confirmed that the dishes discovered in the wreck are characterized by great diversity, as they are divided into 5 or 6 different shapes, reflecting the richness and prosperity of maritime trade in that era. He continued, explaining:

“After more than 30 years of working in the Turkish seas, this discovery is one of the richest and most important we have ever made.”

Ozdaş pointed out that photogrammetric studies, a scientific technique used to measure and document dimensions, distances and shapes, revealed the presence of about 10,000 plates inside the wreck site, which makes this wreck a unique and unprecedented archaeological treasure. He added that what also distinguishes this discovery is the original state in which the wreck was preserved, as it was not looted or destroyed, which is very rare in such discoveries.

Maritime Trade Across the Mediterranean

 Dr. Ozdaş explained that this wreck represents an important step towards a deeper understanding of the history of maritime trade in the Mediterranean region. He pointed out that the large size of the discovery could enrich an entire museum with its collections, which enhances its archaeological value.

Experts believe the discovered ship came from North Africa or Cyprus and was heading to Istanbul when it sank as a result of a strong storm off the coast of                                                      Ayvalik (Anatolia)

He also indicated that the findings related to the discovery have been shared with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with plans to conduct further specialized studies on the wreck by 2025.

The ceramic vessels were used as containers for transporting goods such as oil, and were produced in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit transportation and storage needs. These vessels spread across the Mediterranean, reflecting the commercial and cultural links between the northern, eastern and southern Mediterranean, from which the Aegean Sea branches between present-day Turkey and Greece.

Ozdaş stressed that this discovery would open new horizons for studying ancient maritime trade, noting that it contributes to strengthening Türkiye’s position as a global center for studying maritime heritage. He concluded his speech by saying:

“This discovery represents strong physical evidence of the importance of the ceramic dish trade between North Africa, Cyprus and Anatolia. Although historians have dealt with this trade in many studies, finding physical evidence of this size is a unique and unprecedented event in the field of maritime archaeology studies.”

The discovery represents strong physical evidence of the importance of the                   ceramic dish trade between North Africa, Cyprus, and Anatolia.