Researchers found an ancient amphora during underwater excavations off the coast of the Kaş district in Antalya. The amphora, a clay vessel dating back approximately 1,100 years, was retrieved from a shipwreck at a depth of about 45 to 50 meters.
Experts from the Antalya Regional Council and laboratory restorers meticulously opened the amphora's mouth using chisels, hammers, and small tools in a process that lasted about an hour. Restorer conservator Rabia Nur Akyüz, who performed the salt removal and the opening of the amphora's lid, explained that they worked carefully to keep the amphora constantly wet to prevent the formations on it from drying out. "We worked sensitively to prevent the formations on the amphora from drying out," said Akyüz, according to Haberler.
As the amphora was opened, scientists tried to understand its contents by examining the texture, content, and smell of the material inside. The amphora was first examined with the help of microscopes and special magnifying glasses. Experts began analysis work to determine what the recovered materials are by taking samples from the contents of the amphora.
Professor Dr. Meltem Asiltürk Ersoy from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Akdeniz University stated that she would examine the materials inside a closed amphora for the first time in her professional career. "Scientific studies are not done with a single analysis; many analyses need to confirm each other. Therefore, this process will be long," said Ersoy, according to T24. "We will try to understand what happened over the 1,100-year period in the marine environment, both under pressure and due to temperature changes," she added.
"I think it could be olive seeds, olive oil, wine, or fish sauce, but it could also be something completely different. It's really a very exciting process because it's a closed-mouth amphora. After 1,100 years, the amphora's mouth was opened, and what's inside will be clear after the analysis process. Opening it was exciting; waiting for the result is much more exciting," said Associate Professor Dr. Hakan Öniz, the head of the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at Akdeniz University Faculty of Fine Arts and the scientific advisor of the excavation, according to Anadolu Ajansı.
The amphora was taken to the Underwater Archaeology Laboratory of Akdeniz University in Kemer after undergoing certain stages without being directly brought ashore. The team plans to present the analysis results to the world of science and archaeology. "We will present the result to the world of science and archaeology by combining the analysis results with information from that period," said Ersoy.
The underwater excavation team, working on behalf of Antalya Museum under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Future Heritage Project, has been conducting excavations at Besmi Island in the Kaş district. The project is led by Öniz, along with a 20-person diving team, and is part of efforts to uncover artifacts from the Mediterranean seabed. The team has utilized robots to assist in retrieving artifacts from the depths.
"During that period, Gaza's important export product was olive oil, and possibly wine was exported from Tekirdağ Şarköy-Gaziköy," explained Öniz, according to Star. "By looking at the possible wine-carrying amphorae on the ship, we do not think that the people in Palestine consumed wine, but we think it could be materials sent as gifts to immigrants, Christian pilgrims, or those coming to visit Jerusalem," he added.
Öniz stated that the trade ship that sank on the Mediterranean coasts due to a possible storm likely came from the shores of Gaza in Palestine 1,100 years ago. "This trade ship is a ship that called at multiple ports. It is the period of the 9th and 10th centuries, during the Abbasid Caliphate, that is, the period of Islamic sovereignty," he said.
Experts noted that finding an unopened amphora of this age is a very rare occurrence in the world, making this discovery particularly noteworthy. "The fact that the amphora's mouth has remained closed for over a thousand years is a unique situation," expressed Öniz.
The opening of the amphora's mouth and the retrieved materials were photographed, capturing the excitement of the team during this moment. The Anadolu Ajansı team filmed the opening of the amphora's mouth and the materials extracted from it.
The team started an analysis by taking samples from the materials inside, with the results expected to contribute to the field of archaeology. As the analysis progresses, the archaeological community awaits the findings that may shed light on trade practices and materials transported across the Mediterranean over a millennium ago. "Opening it was exciting; waiting for the result is much more exciting," stated Öniz.
The project underscores the rich historical heritage lying beneath the Mediterranean Sea and illustrates the techniques being used in underwater archaeology today. The team's approach, combining careful manual work with robotic assistance, sets a precedent for future underwater excavations.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
