Tektaş Burnu Shipwreck, the Sunken Window into the Ancient Maritime World

The discovery of ancient shipwrecks offers an unparalleled glimpse into the past, providing tangible connections to the maritime activities, trade, and daily life of ancient civilizations. Whenever deep-divers stumble upon new submerged relics, the world looks in awe, waiting for new discoveries. Among these fascinating underwater finds is the Tektaş Burnu shipwreck, a remarkably well-preserved Greek merchant vessel from the Classical period, which sank off the coast of Turkey around 440-425 BC. Unearthed through meticulous underwater archaeology, this shipwreck has unveiled a treasure trove of artifacts and information, significantly enhancing our understanding of ancient Greek seafaring, trade networks, and material culture.

The Tektaş Burnu Ship Sank with All Its Precious Cargo

The Tektaş Burnu shipwreck is situated off the Aegean coast near the modern town of Sığacık, Turkey. This town lies just north of the spot of the ancient Greek maritime city of Teos. This region, historically significant due to its strategic position along vital maritime trade routes, has long been a focal point for ancient sailors. The shipwreck dates to a crucial era in Greek history, marked by the Peloponnesian Wars, the Persian Wars and the subsequent rise of the Athenian Empire. This period was characterized by extensive trade and cultural exchange throughout the Mediterranean, making the Tektaş Burnu ship an invaluable resource for studying these interactions.

The shipwreck itself was first discovered in 1996 by divers who reported ancient artifacts heaped in great mounds on the seabed. Subsequent investigations by the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) led to a series of underwater excavations beginning in 1999. These excavations, conducted over several seasons, were groundbreaking in their application of advanced archaeological techniques and technologies. The INA team, led by George Bass and later Deborah Carlson, employed meticulous methods to document and recover the ship’s cargo and structure, ensuring minimal disturbance to the site and its artifacts.

The sunken ship was a modest-sized merchant vessel, approximately 15 to 18 meters (49 to 59 ft) in length, constructed primarily from pine wood. Its hull was built using the traditional mortise-and-tenon technique, a hallmark of ancient Greek shipbuilding that provided both strength and flexibility. However, over time, the wood disappeared, and only the iron fasteners remained. The ship’s cargo consisted predominantly of amphoras, the large ceramic jars used for transporting liquids such as wine and olive oil. These amphoras, identified as being from the island of Chios, suggest that the vessel was involved in the trade of high-quality wine, a valuable commodity in the ancient Mediterranean.

Archaeologists are examining artifacts underwater. (INA).

Fine Goods for Trade Overseas

In addition to amphoras, the ship carried a diverse array of goods, including fine ware pottery, lead ingots, and organic materials such as nuts, seeds, beef, and pine tar. This eclectic cargo highlights the ship’s role as a conduit for various products, reflecting the interconnected nature of ancient Mediterranean economies. Particularly notable among the findings were a series of small, intricately carved ivory objects, which may have been personal belongings of the ship’s crew or passengers, providing a more intimate glimpse into the lives of those on board.

The Tektaş Burnu shipwreck offers profound insights into the economic and trade practices of the Classical Greek world. The presence of Chian (of Chios) amphoras indicates the ship’s participation in a well-established trade network centered around the Aegean Sea. Chian wine was highly prized throughout the Mediterranean, and its distribution reflects the demand for luxury goods among ancient societies. The variety of the ship’s cargo also suggests that the vessel was engaged in multi-cargo trade, a common practice where ships transported a range of products to maximize profitability and mitigate risks.

Furthermore, the ship’s route, inferred from its cargo and the location of the wreck, underscores the interconnectedness of ancient maritime trade. The Aegean Sea served as a critical junction for ships traveling between the Greek mainland, Asia Minor, and beyond. This maritime network facilitated not only the exchange of goods but also the spread of ideas, technologies, and cultural practices, contributing to the rich tapestry of ancient Mediterranean civilizations.

Martime trade routes in the Aegean Sea. (World History Encyclopedia/CC BY NC-SA 4.0)

A Revolutionary Way to Explore Beneath the Sea

The excavation of the Tektaş Burnu shipwreck was notable for its innovative use of underwater archaeological techniques. The INA team employed digital mapping, photogrammetry, and sediment analysis to meticulously document the site. These methods allowed for precise recording of artifact locations and the ship’s structure, enabling researchers to reconstruct the vessel’s original layout and cargo distribution. Additionally, conservation techniques were crucial in preserving the recovered artifacts, many of which were extremely fragile after centuries underwater.

The use of remote sensing technologies, such as side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling, also played a pivotal role in identifying and mapping the wreck site. These advancements have since become standard practice in underwater archaeology, revolutionizing the way shipwrecks are discovered and studied. The Tektaş Burnu project thus stands as a landmark in the field, demonstrating the potential of modern technology to enhance our understanding of ancient history.

Similar technologies were employed in the excavation of other underwater shipwrecks in the region. A notable find was the Cape Gelidonya shipwreck, as well as Uluburun shipwreck, both of them yielding a wealth of well-preserved items.

An archaeologist uses a lift bag to raise an artifact to the surface (INA).

Secrets Beneath the Waves

This underwater discovery is a remarkable archaeological find that has significantly enriched our knowledge of ancient Greek maritime activities, trade, and daily life. The well-preserved remains of the ship’s diverse cargo offer a detailed snapshot of a specific moment in history, shedding light on the complex web of economic and cultural interactions that characterized the Classical period. Through careful excavation and analysis, researchers have not only uncovered valuable artifacts but also advanced the methodologies of underwater archaeology, ensuring that future discoveries can be explored with even greater precision and care.

Top image: Left; Amphoras in conservation area. Center; Diver hovering over amphoras; Right; Ceramics on seabed.       Source: INA

By Aleksa Vučković