Under the direction of Professor Dr. Hakan Öniz, head of the Department of Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Properties at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Akdeniz University, a team of archaeologists has made an extraordinary discovery: a bronze dagger with silver rivets, approximately 3,600 years old.
This finding, made at underwater sites off the coast of the Kumluca district (Antalya, Türkiye), not only adds a key piece to the mosaic of Mediterranean history but also reopens debates on trade routes and cultural exchanges among Bronze Age civilizations.
Since 2019, the Akdeniz University team has been leading underwater excavations in this area, diving into the depths of the Mediterranean to explore the remains of an ancient shipwreck located about 50 meters deep.
Before this recent discovery, the vessel had already caught the attention of the archaeological community for the presence of copper ingots shaped like pillows, which are believed to come from the Troodos Mountains in Cyprus. These ingots were evidence of ancient trade routes connecting various Mediterranean civilizations, including the Minoans, Mycenaeans, Egyptians, and inhabitants of the Near East.
However, the appearance of this dagger has added a new dimension to the importance of this shipwreck. The object, which belongs to the Minoan civilization of Crete, has been described as one of the most significant discoveries in underwater archaeology not only in Türkiye but in the world. This artifact offers an unprecedented glimpse into the complex network of cultural and commercial exchanges that defined the Mediterranean more than three millennia ago.
Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, was quick to share his enthusiasm for this find on his social media, describing the dagger as one of the possible candidates to be one of the most important discoveries in underwater archaeology. In his message, he praised the joint efforts of the Akdeniz University team and the Directorate of Excavations and Research: This discovery is not only significant for Türkiye but also for world underwater archaeology. I thank the teams who, with meticulous work, have brought to light the traces of civilizations hidden in the depths of the Mediterranean, he said.
For experts, the origin of the dagger is crucial, as it suggests that the vessel was en route to Crete when it sank. This hypothesis opens new lines of research on the ancient maritime routes that connected the Aegean islands with Anatolia and other points in the eastern Mediterranean. Likewise, this discovery raises questions about the nature of the goods transported and the historical context in which this shipwreck took place.
The bronze dagger with silver rivets is not just an ancient object; it is a silent witness to a lost world. Through its study, archaeologists hope to reveal more details about trade, warfare, and diplomacy during the Bronze Age. The object also provides clues about the metallurgy and craftsmanship skills of the Minoan civilization, known for its advancements in navigation and shipbuilding.
It is important to highlight that this discovery adds to a series of recent findings that have underscored the importance of the eastern Mediterranean as a melting pot of cultures during the Bronze Age. The excavations have revealed how civilizations interacted, traded, and sometimes competed in these seas, generating a rich mix of influences that can still be traced in the material remains emerging from the depths.
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