Brief
Turkish divers uncover 2,100‑year‑old shipwreck with thousands of luxury Roman‑era ceramics
The wreck, located 138‑180 feet underwater off Antalya, yielded thousands of high‑status dishes traced to the ancient production centre of Rhosus.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Turkish officials announced that divers have recovered thousands of luxury ceramic dishes from a 2,100‑year‑old shipwreck off the coast of Turkey, a find they say is linked to the Roman statesman Cicero.
What happened
The wreck lies about 138 to 180 feet below the surface near Adrasan in Antalya Province. Divers working on the site reported piles of ceramic plates, bowls and trays scattered across the sandy seabed. Researchers identified 122 distinct forms and sizes, including vessels used for nuts, soup and fish. Coins recovered aboard the ship helped date the wreck to roughly 200 BCE, and the pottery’s style points to a production centre in ancient Rhosus, a town mentioned in Cicero’s letters.
What the reports add
The state‑run Anadolu Agency, cited by the New York Post, said the discovery was announced on 28 September. It noted that while the ceramics originated in Rhosus, there is no evidence the dishes belonged to Cicero himself. Fox News Digital’s classicist Taco Terpstra, quoted in the article, said the quantity of this type of ceramic is “quite rare” and compared it to today’s fine china, emphasizing that such tableware was intended for a high‑end market.
What was said
Terpstra told Fox News Digital, “It’s unusual that we have so much of this type of ceramic… This is not ordinary tableware. This is not the kind of stuff that ordinary Romans would have on their table.” He added, “This is for a high‑end market, which is one reason why Cicero talks about these.” Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy was also quoted, though the article cuts off before his full comment.
How it came about
The wreck is believed to have been traveling from Rhosus to Rome when it struck a shallow area during a storm and sank. The discovery follows a series of recent Turkish archaeological finds, including a fragment of the Kadesh peace treaty uncovered earlier this month, which together highlight the region’s rich ancient maritime heritage.
Key facts
- Divers recovered thousands of ceramic dishes from a 2,100‑year‑old shipwreck off Antalya, Turkey. (nypost.com)
- The wreck contained 122 different forms of plates, bowls and trays, many used for nuts, soup and fish. (nypost.com)
- Coins found on the ship date the wreck to around 200 BCE and link the pottery to the ancient town of Rhosus. (nypost.com)
- Classicist Taco Terpstra described the ceramics as the ancient equivalent of fine china. (nypost.com)
- Turkish officials announced the find on 28 September via Anadolu Agency. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Divers discover ancient treasures in shipwreck linked to Roman leader who influenced American history”
