The Kekova shipwreck has been listed by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest known shipwreck. Associate Professor Hakan Öniz of Akdeniz University announced the record to Anadolu Agency on 4 November.
Why the Kekova shipwreck matters
The wreck lies off Demre, near Kekova Island, and was found in 2024. Guinness dates it to 4,400–4,700 years ago, in the Early Bronze Age. It is older than Greece’s Dokos wreck, which is about 4,200 years old.
According to Öniz, the Kekova shipwreck was at first thought to be Ottoman. Comparisons with Egyptian amphorae moved its date back to the Early Bronze Age.
Amphorae, stone anchors and exhibition plans
Guinness says the ship was about 10 metres long and probably came from the Eastern Mediterranean. More than 30 amphorae and three stone anchors have been recorded. Preliminary findings were published in the Journal of Maritime Archaeology on 24 July 2026.
The excavations are carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Some finds will be shown at the Four Seas, One Museum in Istanbul and the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in Kemer.
Öniz has also spoken to Voice of Lycia about the wreck. See our list of ancient Lycian cities.
Source: AA / Daily Sabah (5 November 2026); Hürriyet Daily News (5 November 2026); Guinness World Records