Gaby
Underwater archaeologists uncovered a rare bronze dagger with silver rivets during excavations in the Kumludji area of Antalya. Researchers date the artifact to about 3,600 years ago. The dagger likely comes from the Minoan civilization, which thrived on Crete during the Bronze Age from roughly 3000 to 1000 BC.
Work on the shipwreck, which sank off the coast of ancient Lycia centuries ago, began in 2019. Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is overseeing the excavations, Arkeonews reports.
Under the guidance of Associate Professor Dr. Hakan Oniz of Akdeniz University, the underwater team studied the sunken vessel, which was carrying copper ingots. The wreck lies at a depth of about 50 meters. Researchers believe the ship was bound for Crete.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy shared photos from the excavation on social media, saying the finds off Antalya ‘could become some of the most significant discoveries not only for Turkey but for the world of underwater archaeology as a whole.’
Researchers who have spent five years studying the Bronze Age shipwreck have focused on documenting and analyzing artifacts that have yielded valuable information. Archaeologists have used advanced search technologies and analysis methods to study these rare artifacts. Excavations at this site are expected to continue for another five years, meaning the team has many more discoveries ahead.
