The World’s Oldest Shipwreck? Maybe, but ‘We’re All Excited by Maybe.’
Archaeologists discovered a shipwreck off Turkey's Mediterranean coast, specifically near Kekova Island, that may be the oldest ever found. Divers located the site 100 feet underwater. While little of the ship remains, researchers dated the wreck to between 2700 and 2400 B.C. based on cargo clues. The site contained approximately 30 ancient ceramic jars, some of which still hold residue. These vessels likely transported resin, wine, or olive oil during the Early Bronze Age. Experts describe the find as a time capsule at the bottom of the sea.
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- ✓ A shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Turkey.
- ✓ The wreck is located near Kekova Island.
- ✓ Archaeologists found ceramic jars at the site.
- ✓ The shipwreck was found 100 feet underwater.
What changed
Archaeologists identified the wreck site near Kekova Island and analyzed cargo residue from ancient ceramic jars.
Live updates
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Archaeologists find possible world's oldest shipwreck off Turkey coast
Archaeologists discovered a shipwreck off Turkey's Mediterranean coast, specifically near Kekova Island, that may be the oldest ever found. Divers located the site 100 feet underwater. While little of the ship remains, researchers dated the wreck to between 2700 and 2400 B.C. based on cargo clues. The site contained approximately 30 ancient ceramic jars, some of which still hold residue. These vessels likely transported resin, wine, or olive oil during the Early Bronze Age. Experts describe the find as a time capsule at the bottom of the sea.
Why it matters
The discovery provides new evidence regarding Early Bronze Age trade routes. The ship potentially sank during the same era the Great Pyramid of Giza was being constructed.
What is confirmed
- A shipwreck was discovered off the coast of Turkey.
- The wreck is located near Kekova Island.
- Archaeologists found ceramic jars at the site.
- The shipwreck was found 100 feet underwater.
Still unconfirmed
- The shipwreck is 4,700 years old.
- The shipwreck is 4,500 years old.
- The shipwreck is the oldest in the world.
- The wreck is dated to between 2700 and 2400 B.C.
- The jars contained wine, olive oil, or resin.
What to watch next
- Verification of the ship's exact age through carbon dating
- Analysis of the residue found inside the ceramic jars
- Further excavation of the site to recover more of the ship's hull
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (20)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- BBC — World's oldest shipwreck found off Kekova Island in Turkey
- CNN — World’s oldest shipwreck found off coast of Turkey
- CBS News — World's oldest shipwreck found off Turkey, archaeologists say: "Time capsule at the bottom of the sea"
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — Shipwreck believed to be the world's oldest discovered off the coast of Turkey
- The Conversation — World’s oldest shipwreck discovered off coast of Turkey
- www.ctvnews.ca — U.S. midterms: Republicans shy away from Trump ahead of vote
- Popular Mechanics — Divers Found the Oldest Shipwreck on Earth 100 Feet Down—Then They Looked Inside Its Jars
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- Scientific American — Could this ancient shipwreck be the oldest ever found?
- Archaeology Magazine — News - World's Oldest Shipwreck Discovered in the Mediterranean
- FOX Weather — Archaeologists in Türkiye may have found the world’s oldest shipwreck
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