14.10.2026 11:04
During underwater excavations at the world's oldest shipwreck near Kekova Island in Antalya, 4,400–4,700-year-old amphorae were recovered. While clay analyses indicate that the vessels were probably produced in the Jordan Valley, a churn amphora bearing nine marks raised the possibility that sailors may have produced dairy products aboard during long voyages.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that the amphorae belonging to the world's oldest shipwreck found near Kekova Island in Antalya shed light on Anatolia's maritime history. Ersoy said, "In the Blue Homeland, we are bringing to light the traces of the world's oldest shipwreck." The approximately 4,400-4,700-year-old amphorae recovered during the excavations offered striking clues about the period's trade connections as well as the daily lives of sailors.
In a post on his social media account, Minister Ersoy drew attention to the importance of the finds unearthed during the underwater excavations carried out in Kekova. Emphasizing that the amphorae, thought to have been used to transport olive oil or wine, bear traces of trade and cross-cultural interaction in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ersoy made the following assessment:
"Clay analyses indicate that the amphorae were probably produced in workshops in the Jordan Valley. The fact that similar examples were also found in Egypt, Troy, and Crete is of great importance for understanding the trade networks that connected different geographies by sea."
Stating that efforts to protect underwater cultural heritage continue, Ersoy said, "We continue to illuminate Anatolia's maritime history with new findings and to preserve our underwater cultural heritage and pass it on to future generations." Ersoy congratulated Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz, who assumed the scientific responsibility of the excavations, and all those who contributed to the work.
A TRADE NETWORK EXTENDING FROM THE JORDAN VALLEY TO TROY
Amphora samples taken from the shipwreck remains identified near Kekova Island during archaeological underwater research conducted by Akdeniz University in previous years indicated that the ship may have belonged to the Early Bronze Age.
Excavations at the site began in 2026 under the chairmanship of the Antalya Museum Directorate, with the permissions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and under the scientific responsibility of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz. The amphorae recovered from underwater were determined to be approximately 4,400-4,700 years old.
Clay analyses conducted on the vessels indicated that the production site was probably workshops in the Jordan Valley. The fact that similar amphorae were also found near the Giza, Saqqara, and Abusir pyramids in Egypt, in Troy, and in Crete is important for understanding the maritime trade connections of the period.
Researchers are focusing on the possibility that the ship set out from a port on the Levantine coast and headed toward Troy or Crete.
THEY MAY HAVE CARRIED GOATS ON THE SHIP AND MILKED THEM
One of the amphorae recovered during the excavations stands out with nine different marks on it and two holes in its body. Examinations indicate that this vessel may be a churn amphora used in making cheese or butter.
This find raises the possibility that sailors may have carried goats on the ship during long voyages, milked them, and produced their own dairy products. Thus, in addition to its commercial cargo, the shipwreck also offers clues about the nutrition and daily living conditions of the sailors of the period.