Underwater excavations of the Serçe Limanı Shipwreck in Marmaris have resumed

Underwater excavation and documentation work on the Serçe Limanı Hellenistic Period Shipwreck, carried out under the direction of the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum with the permission of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is continuing under the scientific consultancy of Dr. Orkan Köyağasıoğlu from the Underwater Archaeology Institute.

Discovered in 1973 by Bozburun sponge diver Mehmet Aşkın and reported by the Underwater Archaeology Institute, the excavations carried out between 1978 and 1980 but not completed, are being carried out again with the support of the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce.

The Serçe Limanı Hellenistic Period Shipwreck, found at a depth of 33-37 meters and dating back to 280-275 BC, also provides important clues about the shipbuilding and maritime technology of the period.

During the excavations carried out last year, Knidos amphorae of different sizes and ceramic findings similar to those in the Southern Anatolia, Palestine and Egypt regions were unearthed.

The aim of the 2025 excavations, which will continue until mid-September, is to remove the thick layer of sand covering the wreck and clearly reveal its outline.

In a written statement made by the Marmaris Chamber of Commerce, it was stated that all findings were analyzed in detail thanks to the established technological infrastructure.

The statement said, "The excavations are carried out with the 'Virazon II', the world's first and only ship with the 'Archaeological Research Vessel' class and designed entirely by Turkish engineers."

In the statement, it was emphasized that the studies were of great value in terms of revealing the strategic importance of the region in ancient times, and the scientific head of the project, Köyağasıoğlu, and his team who carried out the studies were thanked.