1500-Year-Old Shipwreck Discovered Off Turkiye Reveals 10,000 Plates & Amphorae
A stunning discovery off Turkiye's coast reveals a 1,500-year-old shipwreck, uncovering secrets of ancient maritime trade. This archaeological breakthrough holds treasures never seen before.
Found off Ayvalik’s coast in Turkiye, this wreck is the largest plate shipwreck ever discovered in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, holding 10,000 plates and amphorae.
Experts believe the ship sailed from North Africa or Cyprus to Istanbul before it was claimed by a storm. Its preservation is remarkable given its open-water location.
At 15 meters long and 9 meters wide, the ship carried artifacts that confirm maritime trade routes from North Africa, Egypt, and Syria to Anatolia, Greece, and Italy.
For 30 years, Turkish underwater researchers have dreamed of finding such a treasure. This shipwreck is a rich tapestry of history preserved beneath the waves.
High-tech equipment and robotic underwater vehicles made this discovery possible. The Ayvalik coast has now become a landmark in underwater archaeology.
This discovery is so significant that it could lead to the creation of a dedicated museum, celebrating the artifacts and the stories they tell of ancient trade.
Preserved against the odds, the shipwreck offers an unprecedented glimpse into the past, solidifying Turkiye’s position as a custodian of underwater cultural heritage.