ANTALYA – In an extraordinary blend of archaeology and history, researchers have uncovered 1,100-year-old olive seeds from a sunken ship that had set sail from Gaza’s coast before meeting its fate near Antalya, Turkey.
The discovery, led by Associate Professor Hakan Öniz and his team, marks the first time such well-preserved olive seeds have been found in underwater excavations along Turkey’s shores. These ancient seeds, retrieved from an amphora, will soon be displayed at the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum.
A Deep-Sea Discovery
Öniz, head of Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration at Akdeniz University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, explained that their underwater excavation project began in 2024, focusing on a shipwreck resting 45-50 meters beneath the waters off Besmi Island, Kaş.
Working under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Underwater Archaeology Museum initiative in Kemer, the team aimed to both conduct scientific research and recover artifacts for public exhibition. The shipwreck had already been identified and frequented by divers, though its depth made it accessible only to experienced specialists.
“We concentrated our efforts on the 9th-10th century amphorae, which are over 1,100 years old,” Öniz stated.
A Shipwreck from Palestine’s Coast
Based on amphora typology, researchers determined that the ship was transporting olive oil from Gaza, a major olive oil trade hub in antiquity. They believe the vessel was caught in a storm and sank after striking a submerged rock or island near Kaş.
“Ancient trade routes carried olive oil and wine across the Mediterranean, but what we found in one of the amphorae was truly remarkable,” Öniz said.
While amphorae from different regions exhibit unique characteristics, this wreck was identified as Palestinian based on its distinct design and cargo composition.
“Although the presence of olive seeds in amphorae was known, such a discovery had never been made in Türkiye before. In fact, globally, there are very few known examples,” Öniz added.
Robotic Excavation Unlocks Ancient Secrets
The fragile nature of the shipwreck required robotic underwater excavation, a technique Öniz’s team has been developing over the past year. Using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), they carefully extracted amphorae, one of which contained well-preserved olive seeds.
“Olives have been a staple food for Mediterranean sailors for over 5,000 years, dating back to the Bronze Age,” Öniz explained.
Sailors relied on long-lasting, non-perishable food for their journeys. Ancient seafarers would submerge olives in seawater, allowing them to become edible within a week and remain preserved for months.
“This made olives an essential part of maritime provisions,” Öniz noted.
Beyond olives, ancient ships also carried live animals, wheat, and onboard mills to grind flour for bread-making, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient trade and survival techniques.
A Landmark Discovery for Türkiye’s Underwater Archaeology
Akdeniz University remains at the forefront of underwater archaeological research in Türkiye, with this discovery marking the first olive seeds found in a shipwreck along the country’s coast.
The artifacts, including the preserved seeds, will soon be displayed at the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Kemer, an initiative spearheaded by the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
This remarkable find sheds new light on the trade routes, diet, and daily life of ancient Mediterranean sailors, preserving a piece of history that has remained hidden beneath the sea for over a millennium.
