Beneath the Calm Waters of the Mediterranean, a Sealed Amphora from the 9th Century Resurfaces. Between Olives, Wine, and Forgotten Sea Routes, It Revives a Little-Known Chapter of Ancient Trade.
A Rediscovered Jar, a Reactivated World
The story begins in 2024, off the coast of Kaş, in southern Turkey. The team led by Dr. Hakan Öniz, an archaeologist at Akdeniz University, explores the seabed using remote-controlled robots. At a depth of 45 meters, they identify a shipwreck already known to divers but never excavated.
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Among the artifacts brought to the surface, one amphora immediately stands out. It remains perfectly sealed, as if untouched for over a thousand years. The researchers place it in a humid container, carefully transport it to the lab, and begin a delicate, meticulous opening process. Inside, a thick substance draws attention—possibly solidified oil, olive pits, dried wine… or even garum.
Initial Analyses Confirm the Presence of Organic Matter Preserved by Exceptional Underwater Conditions
Each sample collected fuels new hypotheses, reigniting debates about what sailors were truly transporting at the time.
Gaza as the Starting Point, the Mediterranean as a Trade Network
Researchers quickly identify the ship’s origin based on the shape of the amphorae. All evidence points to Gaza—a region then renowned for its production of olives and olive oil. The vessel likely set sail carrying food jars, probably headed toward Byzantium or Italy. But a storm abruptly ended its journey, sending it to the seafloor along with its entire cargo.
In Those Days, the Olive Was More Than Food: It Lit Lamps, Perfumed Bodies, Healed Wounds, and Accompanied Religious Rites
Even better, when submerged in seawater, olives could be preserved for months without spoiling. The sea thus served not only as a transport route, but also as a natural method of preservation.
And What About Wine?
Though not widely consumed in Gaza, wine was part of the exported goods—possibly intended for pilgrims or Byzantine markets. This commercial diversity highlights how the Mediterranean basin already formed a sophisticated economic network, based on simple yet essential goods.
A Voice from the Past Still Hanging in the Balance
The once-sealed amphora, now opened, has yet to reveal all its secrets. Scientists continue to run tests, cross-reference data, and compare samples. For them, every clue matters. And for us, the wait only deepens the mystery.
What amazes me is the idea that an object, silent for over a thousand years, can still transform our understanding of the ancient world. An amphora is not just a container — it is a vessel of memory. A trace of a world that traded, negotiated, nourished itself… and sometimes, sank.
Source: dailygeekshow
