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WEEK 9/10: Shipwrecks

X marks the spot

Uluburun Shipwreck ​1350-1300BCE

The Uluburun Shipwreck was accidentally discovered in 1982 by a sponge diver 10km off the coast of southern turkey 3300years old, making it one of the oldest shipwrecks found.[1] Excavations were carried out between 1984-1994 by George bass and Cemal Pulak of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology.[1] During this time there were 22,413 dives.[1]  Dendrochonology was used in dating this shipwreck by dating fresh-cut firewood discovered on the ship it is estimated the sinking of the ship dates back to around/after 1306BCE.[1] Amazingly the shipwreck was accidentally discovered by a sponge diver who had reported to his captain spotting unusual objects, later confirmed to be copper ingots.[1]

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Cargo

When the shipwreck sunk it was carrying 20 tons of cargo which included 10 tons of Cypriot copper in 350 oxhide ingots and a ton of tin ingots which were likely to be melted down into bronze.[1] Additionally along with these the earliest known intact glass ingots were found, coloured in turquoise and cobalt blue.[2] The ship also carried diverse luxury items from a range of different cultures including: Mycenean, Syro-Palestinian, Cypriot, Egyptian, Kassite, Assyrian and Nubian.[1] Through analysing the distribution of objects archaeologists were able to distinguish the cargo from crews personal belongings.[1] 

Personal belongings included:

  • A gold scarab inscribed with Nefertiti's royal cartouche, this is the only seal of Nefertiti ever discovered 

  • Jewellery

  • Weaponry

  • Tools

  • Pottery

  • Food, including nuts and fruit

  • A diptych (small hinged wooden writing board)

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Cape Gelidonya Shipwreck ​1200BCE (approximately)

This site was excavated in 1960 and was the first shipwreck to be dug by archaeologists from the seafloor. This shipwreck excavated by George Bass changed the world of archaeology and became the foundation of underwater archaeology.[3] The shipwreck contained "a ton of ingots, scrap bronze tools, weapons, and other objects, as well as metal-working tools."[4] 

George Bass

Regarded as the father of underwater archaeology George Bass' excavation and research at Cape Gelidonya would dramatically change our understanding of archaeology in relation to the ocean.[3]

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​On the 50th anniversary of the discovery and excavation of Cape Gelidonya George Bass and members of his original team, Claude Duthuit and Waldemar Illing [pictured above], returned to the site with new technology helping to uncover new well-preserved artefacts. [3]

 

Underwater Archaeology 

Underwater archaeology explores archaeological sites that lie beneath the sea, including shipwrecks, sunken cities or submerged habitation sites.[5] Through this study we can learn more about the lives and experiences of other human civilisations in relation to the sea, understanding the importance it may of had to everyday lives.[5] Therefore this type of archaeology is significant in exploring sea travel and the role it played in trade. In the Mediterranean more than 1000 pre-medieval shipwreck have been discovered.[2] These wrecks have been found in varying states of decay with an array of artefacts.[2] One of the latest shipwrecks was discovered by sonar at a depth of 3000m, the deepest ancient shipwreck to be found.[2] The world of maritime archaeology today started with the excavation at Cape Gelidonya which resulted in the foundation of Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Turkey and the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, which is the leading organisation in the study of shipwrecks.[4]

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HOWEVER

Underwater archaeology is very dangerous, this is specifically evident at the site of Uluburun which is located in a difficult position to access as it's on a steep slop 50 metres beneath the surface, therefore the excavation time was limited to a 20 minute dive twice a day.[1] Additionally at the Cape Gelidonya shipwreck there would be two dives a day, the first was 40 minutes in the morning and the second 28 minutes in the afternoon.[3] Unlike land archaeology there are restrictions and as a result of the dangers of diving too long at significant depths. Therefore underwater archaeology does come with serious limitations and dangers. 

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What can shipwrecks tell us about life in the ancient Mediterranean?

“This is an archaeologist’s dream.” ​

It is evidence from this research the importance of trade and the extent of connections the different civilisations had to each other. The cargo of the ship has provided archaeologists with the most diverse ancient cargo, suggested as “a reflection in miniature”.[2] It is evident from the vast array of goods found that there were extensive connections and interactions all around the Mediterranean. Excavators have also suggested that a possible sailing path would have started "from the Levantine coast to Cyprus and the southern Turkish coast, then on to Crete or even Greece before travelling south to northern Africa and Egypt and returning to the Levant."[1] This suggested path outlines just how broad the trade routes were and the range of cultures that would have interacted during these times. This shipwreck along with Cape Gelidonya (located nearby) illustrate to archaeologists the extent seafaring contributed to the everyday life of individuals 3000 years ago.[4] Additionally through the discovery of these shipwrecks Cemal Pulak supported the hypothesis, initially suggested by George Bass whilst excavating Cape Gelidonya, that the proto-Phoenicians dominated a complex maritime trade network, rather than the Mycenaean Greeks.[4] Even though previous excavations and studies on land suggested the domination by the Greeks, through extensive study into these shipwrecks a new hypothesis was put forward as a result of underwater archaeology.[4] Although this may only be a small area to look at today, 3000 years ago this would have been a "global economy" built up from seafaring.[4]     

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Globalising in the ancient world​

This particular shipwreck not only indicates the movement of people across the Mediterranean but also the movement of goods and treasures from a range of different cultures. Thus illustrating the forms of globalisation explained in Paul James' text.[6] He describes "embodied globalisation" which encompasses the movement of people across the globe, which is made evident in the Mediterranean through the clear interactions of peoples.[6] James also describes "object-extended globalisation" which explores trade and distribution of goods across the world, especially evident in the Uluburun shipwreck containing objects from several different cultures.[6] Paul James also explains disembodied globalisation which is the spread of immaterial processes, including ideas which would have easily been evident throughout the Mediterranean.[6] I would also argue it would be most evident in Hanno's voyage down the coast of North Africa.[7] Not only can we see evidence of travel across their world we also see interactions/relationships and the setting up of cities where ideas could be shared along with material goods. 

​One thing that is evident when exploring this history, there is significantly less insight and study in comparison with other places such as Greece and Rome. 

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Bibliography

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