Mediterranean Archaeology, one of the world's most specialized underwater archaeology vessels, will illuminate the secrets of the Mediterranean, home to some of the world's oldest shipwrecks.

 

Ozan Koç, Setur Marinas Antalya Front Office Representative

 

The Mediterranean basin, which has hosted many civilizations in history and hosted ports that welcomed sailors and merchants from all over the world, has many coastal settlements since prehistoric times that are now underwater. The Gelidonya shipwreck in Bodrum, dated to the late 13th century BC, and the Uluburun shipwreck in Kaş, dated to the late 14th century BC, are just two of the wrecks that have attracted the attention of the world since the 1960s. Uncovered in 2018 by Akdeniz University, the Kumluca shipwreck dates back even further. Akdeniz University's Center for Underwater Archaeology and the Mediterranean Civilizations Research Institute have so far documented around 350 archaeological shipwrecks along the 1,200 km coastline from Hatay to the west of Antalya. Akdeniz University's Mediterranean Archaeology vessel will now be used in these studies.

 

 

This particular vessel has a remarkable story. Many people are stepping up to the plate when there is a need for a more modern vessel than the Arkeo, which was previously used for underwater archaeology studies and whose land parking support was provided by Setur Antalya Marina. Under the initiative of Arçelik CEO and Board Member Hakan Bulgurlu, Attorney Gönenç Gürkaynak and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz from Akdeniz University, an association called the Mediterranean Archaeology Association was established with the participation of Antalya's tourism industry, local and foreign businessmen. The hull of a 38-meter-long fishing vessel manufactured by the German Farmont brand was purchased with the support of Antalya Ares shipyard and completed at Pelitoğlu shipyard. Eventually, with the help of the international agricultural company UPL, the vessel was transformed into the largest and most modern archaeological vessel in the world. This impressive vessel, which was launched on September 28, 2022 at Setur Antalya Marina, was named Mediterranean Archeology.

 

 

The vessel has a climate-controlled bob, unmanned deep-water research vehicles, three-dimensional sonars and a pressure decompression chamber for five divers, and is large enough to accommodate 20 PhD students at sea for months. Underwater archaeologists both from our country and from all over the world through UNESCO will be trained on this vessel. The goal is to use this very special opportunity to shed light on the history of trade, economy and culture with the participation of students from all over the world under the leadership of Akdeniz University Underwater Cultural Heritage Research Department, and to have a priceless heritage for the future.

Mediterranean Archaeology is expected to be ready for its first mission in April. The vessel will set sail to find, document and preserve humanity's underwater archaeological heritage, and its first destination will of course be the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, an oasis of wreckage and underwater riches. Its achievements will of course be announced in Highlights before anywhere else.

 

Photographs: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz, Ozan Koç