ULUBURUN WRECK

 Uluburun, the oldest shipwreck excavated in the world for a long time, was found southwest of Kaş in 1986 by sponge diver Mehmet Çakır. Uluburun shipwreck, dated to the 14th century BC, is a significant shipwreck in providing information about the Late Bronze Age trade. Uluburun, with a depth of 45-55 meters and carrying 10 tons of copper and 1-ton tin metal ingots, was excavated between 1984 and 1995. Uluburun, carrying a load of copper and tin, looked like a royal ship due to its load.

 During the Uluburun Project, archeologists carried out 22,400 dives and approximately 6613 hours of work at 50 meters. The Uluburun vessel, 15 meters long and 5 meters wide, carried about 20 tons of cargo. The keel and lining of the Uluburun ship, lying on a sloping field, were made of cedar wood that grows in Lebanon, Southern Anatolia, and Cyprus.

 The ship’s main cargo is 318 four-handled, 31 two-handled, 121 round, and oval-shaped copper Cyprus ingots, weighing approximately 10 tons. In addition, 1-ton ox hide formed, and round tin ingots were also found.

 Archeologists also discovered 149 Canaanite amphorae, 175 glass ingots, seals, weapons, items made of ivory, and surprisingly rich jewelry at Uluburun Shipwreck.

 The 37 gold objects found were medallions, gold goblets, and rings. One of the artifacts found on the ship was the ring of Egyptian queen Nefertiti. It was suggested that this golden seal ring belonged to one of the merchants on board the vessel and dated later than the queen’s reign. This ring is critical as it is the only gold seal of the queen that has survived.

In Uluburun, a lot of Cypriot pottery is also found in large jars. Many weapons on the ship showed that the ship was ready for sudden attacks and that many people were coming from different countries.