World's oldest shipwreck found to date

The find is considered to be between 4,400 – 4,700 years old, and thus roughly from the time when the Cheops Pyramid was built, Professor Hakan Öniz, from Akdeniz University, told the BBC.

The wreckage was found near the island of Kekova, in Antalya.

Öniz describes it as a "time capsule" preserved for posterity.

There is nothing left of the boat's wooden construction, but the large ceramic amphorae in which goods were transported. The dating has been based on the shape of the amphorae.

In some of them there were still residues from the contents, which are now being examined. It is described as a sticky substance, which could be olive oil, resin or wine.

"I looked inside and was about to pass out. It's amazing how much was left, it wasn't just stains." describes archaeologist Karin Swoada, from Macquarie University in Australia.

About 30 amphorae have been salvaged, as well as two stone anchors. The boat, which was about ten meters long, was a cargo ship. It is believed that the route went either to Troy or to Crete. In the area, which was difficult to navigate due to strong currents, there are hundreds of wrecks.