Archaeologists Discover World's Oldest Shipwreck Off Turkey’s Coast

Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of the world’s oldest shipwreck, dating to about 4,500 years ago, near Turkey’s coast. While the wooden hull has vanished, a cargo of pottery remains intact, offering a snapshot of the vessel’s trade goods. The artifacts suggest the ship carried valuable items such as oil, wine, or tree resin, and likely sank after striking rocks during a storm. The pottery’s style and composition point to a network that linked distant Mediterranean cultures, including Egypt, during the era of the pyramids. The find provides the first tangible link to maritime commerce in the Bronze Age and expands knowledge of early seafaring routes and trade relationships across the Mediterranean basin.