A 1,500-year-old trade shipwreck has been uncovered off the coast of Ayvalık in Balıkesir, Turkey. This significant discovery was made under the guidance of Associate Professor Harun Özdaş, director of the Underwater Research Center (SUDEMER) at Dokuz Eylul University. The project, known as the 'Turkish Sunken-Ships Project: Blue Heritage,' received approval from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The shipwreck, located approximately 2.5 miles offshore at a depth of 43 meters, was identified by Associate Professor Nilhan Kızıldağ and her team. Preliminary findings date the wreck to the late fifth century A.D., marking it as the largest plate wreck found in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions, containing around 10,000 ceramic dishes.
Özdaş noted that the wreck's preservation is exceptional due to its location in open waters. He explained, 'We made dives to these anomalies with our high-tech devices and determined the location of the wreck.' The site features clusters of dishes, differing from the amphorae typically found in similar studies.
The ship is estimated to be about 15 meters long and 9 meters wide, with a few amphorae discovered alongside the dishes. Researchers believe the vessel may have originated from North Africa or Cyprus and likely sank following a storm.
Özdaş emphasized the significance of this find, stating, 'In our 30 years of underwater research in Turkish waters, finding such wealth is a source of great happiness for us.' He suggested that the variety and quantity of artifacts could justify the establishment of a museum dedicated to the uncovered items.