The First-Ever Underwater Excavation of the Black Sea Reveals Ancient Harbor

 

There was no excavation in the Black Sea before 2020. Now, after several years of exploration of the area, new information about the area's history is emerging. Ancient artifacts are being discovered, and new understandings of the importance of a particular port are being developed. It seems as if this is the beginning of the revelation of the secrets beneath the Black Sea.

Kerpe was an important port in ancient times.

Kerpe is a bay on the western coast of the Black Sea that has served as an important port for several millennia. Its name is closely related to the Hellenic word "kalpe", which translates to "vessel" or "jug". During that time, amphorae were a popular choice for transporting goods, so the name of the bay, which resembled a major port, suggests its importance. At this time Kerpe was also known for its extremely fertile climate, making it a popular destination for farmers and artisans.

Artifacts found near Carpe date back to the 4th century BC, but we know that the bay remained a commercial center for thousands of years, including during the Roman, Byzantine and Genoese periods. Some artefacts date back to 12th century BC. Have been told. For a long time, during the Ottoman period, this port was a major port for the supply of fuel, wood and other goods to Istanbul. However, it eventually fell to the bottom of the Black Sea.

field digging

The first excavations of the Black Sea began in 2020 and discoveries are now being brought to light. A team of researchers made the discovery at the site of the ancient Kerpe port, covering an area of about 2,000 square meters, about 80 meters off the coast and under water about four meters deep. In his search, he discovered two sections of an ancient pier that used to be at the port.

The team also discovered numerous amphora fragments at the site, some of which have been found at the surface and are up to 2,400 years old. Many other important artefacts were also found near the pier, proving that Kerpe has long served as the central commercial port for the many civilizations that lived and operated in the region.

Excavations in the Black Sea are expected to continue and are being carried out by the Kocaeli Museum Directorate. The team is being supervised by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Directorate General of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

“We believe it is extremely valuable in terms of emphasizing the commercial relations between East and West from ancient times to the Ottoman period in the Black Sea,” said Serkan Geduk, director of the Kocaeli Museum. Therefore, we are trying to display the cultural properties unearthed during the underwater excavations in our museum chronologically and with some animations. During the excavation works, we have identified numerous underwater cultural heritages, ranging from commercial amphora remains dating from the 4th century BC to the 12th century AD, red glazed ceramics, lamps, pipe fragments, remains from the Ottoman period. Contains various cultural properties related to. “We have located a shipwreck in this area.”

What has been revealed from the excavations is housed in the Kocaeli Museum and added to a new exhibition titled "The Silent Harbor of the Black Sea: Kalpe".