Turkey's Kekova Island Shipwreck Dates to 4,700 Years, Oldest Found
The short version
Archaeologists have found a shipwreck off Turkey’s Kekova Island that dates to between 4,400 and 4,700 years ago, making it the oldest known shipwreck worldwide. The site contains amphoras linked to early workshops in the Jordan Valley and shows evidence of Bronze Age trade routes.
Underwater archaeologists reported finding a shipwreck off Turkey’s Kekova Island.5,1 The wreck dates to between 4,400 and 4,700 years ago, making it the oldest known shipwreck worldwide.3,1 The site contains ceramic amphoras that may have carried wine or olive oil.5,1
Clay analysis of the amphoras links them to early workshops in the Jordan Valley.4 Similar amphora styles are found at ancient sites in Troy and Crete.5 The wreck’s cargo provides evidence of Bronze Age trade routes.5,1
The vessel bears mysterious symbols that could reflect early seafarers’ beliefs.2 The discovery was announced by Al Jazeera’s Nour Hegazy in a short video.2 The wreck was found near the southern coast of Turkey, close to Kekova Island.5,1
“The world’s oldest known shipwreck has been discovered off Turkiye’s coast, dating back nearly 5,000 years.”
“Archeologists believe this to be the world's oldest shipwreck ever discovered.”
Why it matters
Kekova Island is a small island in the Aegean Sea off Turkey’s southwestern coast, known for its submerged ruins.5,1
The Bronze Age, spanning roughly 3300 to 1200 BCE, was a period of early metallurgy and maritime trade in the eastern Mediterranean.3
Amphoras were common clay vessels used in antiquity to transport goods such as wine and oil across seas.5,1
This account was written from the 5 reports listed below, filed by 5 independent outlets, and checked against them line by line. It is not a copy of any one of them. Spotted an error? Tell us.
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