Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – A significant archaeological discovery was made off the coast of Adrasan, Kumluca, Turkey, where a cargo ship from the Late Hellenistic to Early Roman periods was found. This nearly 2,000-year-old shipwreck revealed hundreds of plates, trays, and bowls that were carefully nested and protected with raw clay during transport.
Credit: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy personally visited the site and highlighted that this preservation method allowed the patterns on the ceramics to remain almost perfectly intact. This finding is considered highly valuable not only for Turkey but also for global cultural heritage.
“Today, we are a country that not only observes but also guides with scientific methods and technology. We have become a global leader in underwater archaeology. By 2025, we will have systematically and continuously implemented work in this field with four presidentially mandated excavations, three museum-led excavations, and three separate underwater surveys,” Minister Ersoy stated.
The excavation was part of the “Heritage to the Future” project.
Minister Ersoy elaborated on the discovery of over 400 shipwrecks along the route from Patara to Mersin, highlighting the diligent efforts of underwater archaeologists and marine experts in these areas. These findings offer substantial opportunities for both scientific research and tourism development in the country.
Credit: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı
Emphasizing their scientific importance, Ersoy noted that artifacts such as plates and bowls have remarkably retained their original colors and surface features, providing crucial insights into historical production and packaging methods. These items are being carefully preserved at the Regional Restoration and Conservation Laboratories.
Credit: Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı
Ersoy reaffirmed their dedication to safeguarding underwater heritage, describing each shipwreck as a gateway to understanding our submerged history. Institutions like the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology showcase these detailed excavations to the public. The ceramic shipwreck is expected to draw significant interest from both archaeologists and visitors in the near future.
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Additionally, Ersoy announced plans to construct a Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Kemer Idyros, set to begin this month following the completion of project design.
This museum will feature artifacts from ceramic shipwrecks alongside other underwater discoveries. Furthermore, plans are in place for a dedicated section at the Antalya Archaeology Museum, focusing on underwater archaeology, to enhance the visitor experience.
Written by Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com Staff Writer
