Guinness Recognises Kekova Wreck off Türkiye as World’s Oldest Shipwreck
Guinness World Records has recognised a shipwreck near Kekova Island, in Antalya province on Türkiye’s south-western Mediterranean coast, as the oldest known shipwreck in the world. Kekova lies off the Lycian coast between the towns of Kaş and Demre. The recognition was announced this week.
The wreck is dated to the Early Bronze Age, about 4,400 to 4,700 years ago. Divers found more than 30 amphorae, clay jars that probably held olive oil or wine, along with three stone anchors. Studies of the clay suggest the jars may have come from the Jordan Valley region. Researchers believe the ship was a small trading vessel about 10 metres long.
A team from Akdeniz University, led by Hakan Öniz and Ceyda Öztosun, discovered the site in 2024. At first they thought it was an Ottoman-era wreck, but further study showed it was far older. Türkiye’s culture minister announced the find in October. The previous record holder was the Dokos wreck in Greece, dated to around 2200 BC.
The Kekova site is separate from the Adrasan wreck, which lies about 30 km to the west and dates back around 2,100 years.
The find shows that seaborne trade linked the eastern Mediterranean more than four thousand years ago, long before modern navigation. For today’s seafarers, it is a reminder of how old their profession is, and of the skill and courage of early sailors who crossed open water in small wooden boats.
