A Bronze Age Cargo: The Kekova Amphorae

A shipwreck has been found near Kekova Island, off Antalya on Turkey's southern coast. More than 30 amphorae and several stone anchors were recovered from depths of about 25–40 metres. The wooden hull did not survive but the cargo has been preserved in place.

The pottery has been dated to between 4,400 and 4,700 years old by specialists who compared decoration and clay with Early Bronze Age examples. A preliminary report was published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology in July 2026. Some amphorae still contain a dark, glossy residue that has been sampled for laboratory analysis using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction.

Archaeologists led by Hakan Öniz and ceramics specialist Karin Sowada have suggested the jars may have come from the Jordan Valley and that the ship carried commodities such as olive oil or wine. Other experts have urged caution and said further tests are needed before firm conclusions are drawn. The site may offer new evidence of early long-distance trade across the eastern Mediterranean.