Reports out of Turkey indicate that archaeologists may have uncovered the first Byzantine port of the ancient city of Constantinople.
A rich cache of ancient objects have been found in shallow waters off Yenikapi in modern Istambul with the potential to re-write the history books regarding life in the time of Theodosius I. Pottery, coins, Stone Age skeletons, amphorae and even a basket full of ancient cherries has been surfaced so far. More than 30 timber ship frames have also been discovered.
According to a report in The National newspaper, researchers at the affiliated institutes of nautical archaeology at Texas A&M University and at Bodrum in Turkey have stressed the importance of the finds, saying they are unique because of their sheer number and ability to shed light on ancient building techniques. Nautical gear, such as stone anchors with wooden poles and ropes, have been perfectly preserved in the depths of the murky water, while entire merchant vessels from various centuries have been uncovered, some filled with ancient merchandise, such as oil and wine amphorae. Fifteen ships thought to have sunk in a strong storm in 1,000 AD were discovered at the eastern end of the harbor, revealing a high-traffic port that connected the ancient granaries of Alexandria to the vineyards of northern Greece.
Read a full report here.
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