Ten new Shipwrecks are found in Turkey in 2025. Underwater archaeological surveys in Turkey discovered ten new shipwrecks, four in Fethiye and six in Antalya. Additionally, an old anchorage where ships from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman era were moored has been found.
Important effort is being done by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz, Head of the Department of Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration at Akdeniz University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and his team to uncover historical remnants that are located meters underwater.
With approval from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the team has used sophisticated sonar equipment and robotics to dive several meters to reach shipwrecks. In addition to doing surface surveys to find new shipwrecks, they are excavating the ones they have already located.
Ten new shipwrecks have been found this year, six in Antalya and four in Fethiye. Archaeologists add shipwrecks that sank with their cargo to the list and use the artifacts they find during their investigations to shed light on historical maritime trade.
Working off the shore of Fethiye as well, the team found three shipwrecks from the fourth and sixth centuries BC as well as an old anchorage. Underwater archaeologists are thrilled by the discovery. Anadolu Agency (AA) reporter was informed by Research Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz that the UPL scientific research and inspection vessel had recorded ten shipwrecks this year. They have never carried out a study like this off the coast of Fethiye.
Öniz explained: “We documented a previously unknown ancient anchorage off the coast of Fethiye. We discovered that numerous ships had arrived and anchored at this anchorage from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman period.
“We knew that the Antalya coast had witnessed intense maritime activity since the Bronze Age. Now, we’re including the eastern coast of Fethiye. Ships likely set off from the coasts of Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, or even the coasts of Hatay, Adana, and Mersin, or on their way there, stopped at this ancient anchorage in Fethiye during storms.
“Some completed their anchoring process and departed, while others were unable to raise their anchors during the storm, leaving the anchors submerged. Based on these anchors, we can understand how many millennia the Fethiye coast has witnessed maritime activity, and how many millennia ships have come and gone from these shores. This year, we’ve documented such an important anchorage.”
Given that the eastern shore of Fethiye is particularly vulnerable to wind and storms, Öniz stressed that the anchorage they discovered presents an opportunity for underwater archaeologists. Ships used the area where the wreck was located to seek shelter during storms; these locations were typically safe havens on islands, peninsulas, or windless bays.
Despite being a safe anchorage, they also found three shipwrecks, said, “We understand that this area is safe from westerly winds, but if a sudden easterly wind picks up, they have to escape immediately. When a storm comes from the opposite direction, it’s sometimes impossible for sailors to raise the anchor immediately. In that case, they have to cut the rope and escape. This is how we find the anchors. However, there were ships that couldn’t escape this storm”
“All three ships sank in the region, unable to escape the sudden storm. Each shipwreck is a time capsule for us. We can understand what kind of production was done in which period, what kind of amphorae was used, where they were produced, and which city traded from. Therefore, these are like books for us.”
The number of shipwrecks has increased from 411 last year to 421 this year, according to Öniz, who also noted that they have added shipwrecks with archaeological importance to the registry.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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