Ankara: Thousands of ceramic artifacts dating back about 2,100 years have been recovered from a shipwreck off Adrasan in southern Türkiye's Antalya province, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said Monday.
Underwater excavations at the site began in 2025, and archaeologists have so far recovered 122 different forms and sizes of plates, bowls and trays from the ceramic-laden ship, reflecting the variety of luxurious tableware used at the time, Ersoy said in a social media post.
The ceramics are associated with Rhosus, the ancient name of present-day Arsuz in Hatay province, southern Türkiye, according to the statement.
Ersoy said Rhosus ceramics were mentioned in letters by Roman statesman and orator Cicero, who wrote about an order placed for his friend Atticus.
The artifacts were placed in crates, with clay between the pieces to help preserve them. The excavation is being conducted at depths of between 42 and 55 meters with the support of underwater robots, the minister added.
