Turkey: 8 wrecks from the time of the Ottoman Empire found

Listen to this article A group of scientists from the Institute of Marine Science and Technology (IMST) at Turkey’s Doku Eylül University in Izmir, which studies sunken shipwrecks, has located eight new, previously unknown vessels. According to preliminary information, the wrecks discovered in the coastal waters between Datca and Antalya are the remains of ships

ByMałgorzata Brykała

Published: July 30, 2014 - 11:47

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 07:35

Turkey: 8 wrecks from the time of the Ottoman Empire found

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A group of scientists from the Institute of Marine Science and Technology (IMST) at Turkey’s Doku Eylül University in Izmir, which studies sunken shipwrecks, has located eight new, previously unknown vessels. According to preliminary information, the wrecks discovered in the coastal waters between Datca and Antalya are the remains of ships belonging to the Ottoman Empire.

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Izmir’s IMST is dedicated to educating students in underwater archaeology. Already during their studies, graduates are involved in investigating ancient shipwrecks, identifying ancient trade routes, and exploring ancient ports. It was during fieldwork that Turkish scientists managed to come across previously unknown wrecks.

Marked search area

“The main objective of our project, is to increase the list of sunken wrecks. Since the beginning of this year, we have been focusing on the search for remains from the time of the Ottoman Empire. In the last three months, we have managed to discover as many as 8 new, previously unknown vessels,” said Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the institute Harun Özdaş

The latest discovery joins a long list of amazing underwater archaeological finds that have taken place in the same coastal belt. One of the most famous is the Uluburun wreck discovered near Antalya in 1982 and dated to the end of the Bronze Age around 1300 BC. It was then that the surrounding waters, witnessed an incredible boom in commercial shipping.

The most famous local wreck – Uluburun from the 14th century BC.

So far, there is no information that would specify the age of the find (the Ottoman Empire existed between the 14th and 20th centuries), its origin, the cargo carried, the degree of preservation or the type of vessels. We will probably learn more details as the archaeological work progresses.

One of the most beautiful finds ever made in the surrounding waters is an intact 16th century wreck, surrounded by amphorae, vessels and various everyday objects still resting under water. Measuring about 23m, the structure is made of oak and reinforced with iron nails. The ship crashed on a reef hidden just under the surface of the water. According to researchers, most of its cargo was transferred to other ships before the vessel sank.

Identifying wrecks in the eastern Mediterranean is not easy as they very often contain elements of many cultures, including Mycenaean, Cypriot, Egyptian or Assyrian.

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com Photo: Antalyainfo.org