Sunken Ship with Intact Ceramics Discovered 0 15

An ancient vessel with a well-preserved cargo has been found on the seabed of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Turkey. This was reported by Earth.com.

Turkish archaeologists discovered a unique object during underwater research — an ancient ship that was transporting ceramic dishes. The find, which is about two thousand years old, rests at a depth of 35-45 meters near the town of Adrasan in Antalya province. Researchers were extremely surprised when they saw the sunken trading vessel that went down more than two millennia ago, with ceramics neatly stacked in the hold. Scientists note the rare preservation of the dishes, which look as if they were about to be unloaded at their destination port.

Dr. Hakan Oniz from Akdeniz University, who led the research, noted that many of the surviving ceramic items have retained their original colors and surface texture — which is unusual considering their long exposure to seawater. The cargo consists almost exclusively of items made using the terra sigillata technique — mainly plates, cups, and bowls, which is characteristic of coastal trade in the region in the 1st century BC.

Particular interest lies in the protective coating: many vessels were treated with a thin layer of clay before loading, which protected them from damage during transport and later slowed down deterioration in the marine environment. After conservation and study of the find, it is planned to transfer it to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Bodrum.