World's oldest shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast

Underwater excavations have brought to light amphorae, or ceramic storage jars, from the wreck. These vessels, thought to have been used for transporting goods like olive oil or wine, are estimated to be around 4,400–4,700 years old. Clay analyses indicate the amphorae were likely produced in workshops in the Jordan Valley. The presence of similar examples found in Egypt, Troy, and Crete suggests the existence of an extensive trade and cultural interaction network across these regions.

Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, emphasized the significance of the discovery, stating, "In our 'Blue Homeland,' we are bringing to light traces of the world's oldest shipwreck." He congratulated Associate Professor Hakan Öniz, who is leading the scientific excavations, and the involved team.

Researchers believe the ship may have set sail from a port on the Levantine coast and was headed towards Troy or Crete. One amphora, marked with nine signs and two holes, is particularly noteworthy and may have been used for churning dairy products, suggesting sailors carried goats on board for onboard production of cheese or butter. This finding contributes to understanding not only commercial transport but also the daily lives and eating habits of seafarers from that era.