The 2005 Remote-Sensing Survey of the South-Eastern Bozburun Peninsula, Turkey: Shipwreck Discoveries and their Analyses

Abstract

During a month-long survey of the coastline along the south-eastern Bozburun peninsula, Turkey, nine shipwreck sites were discovered. Of these, five have historical significance and represent a chronological range from the Roman Imperial to Renaissance periods. This article provides a description of the sites and associated artefacts, and attempts a provisional analysis for each wreck's operational date as well as the nature of the finds in their historical context.

Magnetic detection of ship ballast deposits and anchorage sites in King Herod's Roman harbour, Caesarea Maritima, Israel

“…Reinhardt and Raban, 1999). Ballast deposits also occur as discrete stone piles and mounds on the seabed, marking the location of shipwreck sites (Parker, 1981;Keith and Simmons, 1985;Ballard et al, 2000;Callahan et al, 2001;Bertrame and Gaddi, 2002;Raveh and Kingsley, 1992;Kingsley, 2003;Royal, 2006). These are formed when wooden hull structures are destroyed during wrecking or lost to decay and erosion processes, and where preserved, can provide a record of the hull contents.…”

Description and Analysis of the Finds from the 2006 Turkish Coastal Survey: Marmaris and Bodrum

“…The Late‐Republican wreck is located almost due north of Rhodes; a position that indicates it was heading towards the settlements along the southern Asian coast, possibly Physkos or Pyrnos. We therefore have evidence, albeit a small piece, that Rhodian maritime trade continued with its former possessions on the Asia Minor mainland in this period; as well as a century later, as evidenced by the Julio‐Claudian I wreck (Royal, 2006: 214–16). A study of amphora distributions and frequencies at coastal sites along the Asian and Lycian coasts, combined with further survey along these coasts, could provide a clearer understanding of the impact the Cilician‐Pamphylian pirates had on overseas trade in the region.…”

The Discovery of a Medieval Galley in Turkey? A Review

“…About the artillery, it is true that from the 15th century a galley could be armed with iron swivel‐guns and a bigger gun in the centre of the prow, but it is also true that, as admitted by the author, quoting Guilmartin, in the 16th century, ‘it was increasingly rare to find wrought‐iron guns on Mediterranean galleys’ (Royal, 2006: 200). In fact, already from the middle of the last decade of the 15th century (Ridella, 2005: 82; Ridella, in press), bronze artillery began to be widespread aboard such ships.…”

“…Jeffrey G. Royal (2006) published an article in this journal about the results of a remote‐sensing survey made in 2005 on the south‐eastern Bozburun peninsula of Turkey. Here the American researcher presents the discoveries of various wrecks, preliminarily dated between the Imperial Roman period and the 20th century.…”