The world's oldest shipwreck left undisturbed at the bottom of the sea for 3,600 years

The shipwreck was on the bottom of the ocean for 3,600 years (Image: Getty)

Archaeologists in Turkey found the world's oldest shipwreck, a 3,600-year-old Bronze Age vessel, resting on the seabed near Cape Gelidonya.

Archaeologists in Turkey uncovered the world’s oldest known shipwreck, a 3,600-year-old Bronze Age merchant vessel, lying undisturbed at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.

Discovered in 2018 near Cape Gelidonya, off the coast of Antalya province, the ancient shipwreck offers a rare glimpse into the maritime history of the 16th century B.C.

The shipwreck, located at a depth of 125 to 170 feet, is believed to have belonged to a merchant vessel that sank after hitting the shore during a storm.

The vessel’s cargo, primarily consisting of pillow-shaped copper ingots, suggests it was part of early trade routes, linking various cultures across the Mediterranean.

The shipwreck is off the coast of Turkey (Image: Getty)

The excavation of the site, led by Dr. Hakan Öniz from Akdeniz University's Department of Mediterranean Underwater Cultural Heritage Research, began in the summer of 2019 and continued through 2023.

The project is supported by Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage and Museums.

Two East Carolina University (ECU) students, Lindsay Wentzel and Dominic Bush, were among the international team of archaeologists invited to participate in this historic excavation.

Bush described the experience as "truly a surreal experience," noting that the shipwreck predated the events in Homer’s “Iliad” by nearly 400 years and the founding of Rome by more than 800 years.

The shipwreck contained many treasures (Image: Getty)

The team of researchers from Turkey, the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Poland spent five weeks excavating the shipwreck, recovering artefacts, and conducting detailed photogrammetric studies. The process involved underwater excavation and conservation, with the aim of preserving the site's historical significance.

Wentzel, who studied in ECU's maritime studies program, said: “This ongoing experience in Turkey has greatly contributed to my growth as an archaeologist. It’s given me the opportunity to study in the birthplace of maritime archaeology and work alongside a diversity of different people, cultures, and methods on some incredibly exciting research.”

The shipwreck's discovery and excavation mark a significant milestone in understanding ancient maritime history and trade routes in the Mediterranean.

As research continues, archaeologists hope to learn more about the cultures and commerce that shaped the Bronze Age, while ensuring that this unique site remains preserved for future generations.