Bronze Age Shipwreck Yields Treasures In Turkiye's Mediterranean Depths

Underwater archaeologist Hakan Oniz and his team from Akdeniz University continue their excavations of the Kumluca Middle Bronze Age Shipwreck, the world's oldest shipwreck, off Antalya Turkiye's coast.

Underwater documentary filmmaker and cinematographer Tahsin Ceylan has captured the underwater excavation. The wreck, dated to 3600 years ago, lies about 50 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea; using advanced technology, the team works to bring historical remnants to light, a process that Ceylan has meticulously documented. His footage reveals the team's careful and methodical excavation efforts alongside marine life, such as breams and lionfish.

Excavation leader Oniz shared with Anadolu Agency that the project is being conducted with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and in collaboration with Akdeniz University. Oniz explained, "The ship likely sank during a storm while transporting copper ingots from Cyprus to Crete. We employ Turkiye's most advanced underwater archaeology technologies, including underwater compressors and work systems, to conduct our excavations at this depth. This is a prominent depth, and we make sure all safety measures are in place for a secure underwater archaeological excavation." "The artefacts we recover here will hopefully be displayed in the underwater archaeology museum currently being built in Kemer."

Archaeologist Aysegul Dadagul, part of the excavation team, expressed her excitement about tracing the remnants of history. "We are working in a place where many underwater archaeologists dream of working. I believe we will shed light on the past. Being deep underwater and touching history is an amazing experience," Dadagul said.

Ceylan spoke about the profound experience of touching the fingerprints of history and accompanying the mysterious world below. During the dives, Ceylon was accompanied by his camera assistant, Mahmut Lgde.

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