A 1500-year-old shipwreck has been discovered off the coast of Ayvalik in Turkiye's Balikesir province during the Turkish Shipwreck Inventory Project: Blue Heritage, which aims to preserve the nation's underwater cultural legacy.
The find, led by SUDEMER (Underwater Research Center) at Dokuz Eylül University, was made using advanced mapping technology and domestically designed robotic underwater vehicles. The shipwreck, located 2.5 miles offshore, dates back to the 5th century A.D. and is hailed as the largest plate shipwreck ever found in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with over 10,000 ceramics and plates.
According to researchers, the 15-meter-long, 9-meter-wide ship likely sailed from North Africa or Cyprus to Istanbul before sinking in a storm. Its discovery provides the first concrete evidence of ancient maritime trade routes connecting North Africa, Egypt, and Syria with Anatolia, Greece, and Italy.
The well-preserved wreck offers invaluable insight into ancient trade and maritime practices. Harun Özdaş, director of SUDEMER, emphasized its importance, stating, "In 30 years of underwater research in Turkish waters, finding such wealth is a great achievement."
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is considering establishing a museum to showcase this exceptional find, underscoring its cultural and historical significance.