Archaeologists Discover 4,700-Year-Old Shipwreck off Turkish Coast

Archaeologists have discovered the world's oldest shipwreck near Kekova Island, Turkey, dating back 4,400 to 4,700 years to the Early Bronze Age. While the vessel's wooden structure disintegrated, researchers identified the wreck by analyzing over 30 ceramic amphorae found on the seabed, which match pottery styles from ancient Egypt and the Middle East.

The 10-meter trade vessel represents a significant historical find, with some recovered storage pots still containing viscous residue that researchers hope will reveal the ship's cargo. The team, led by Prof. Hakan Öniz, is currently conserving the fragile artifacts as they investigate whether the jars held wine, olive oil, or tree resins.

Editor's note: Accurate summary of the archaeological find, though it omits the mention of the Dokos wreck which previously held the record, a minor detail for a brief.