Özet:

An underwater survey was carried out along the shore of the Kekova Island and its surrounding in 2012-2013. Besides the shipwrecks also in the settlement many archaeological finds such as pots for dailynuse and many amphorae were found. The discovery of commercial amphorae in high numbers and various types is of importance due to the fact that it indicates intense trade in the region. Thirtyfive forms of amphorae found in the underwater survey were classified typologically in eleven groups: Syrian-Palestine Region, Archaic-Classic Period Greek Amphorae, Hellenistic Period Greek Amphorae, Western Mediterranean-Italian Amphorae, Lustinia, Tripolitania, Cilician Region, Aegean Amphorae, Levantine Amphorae, Marmara and North African Amphorae. The amphorae found in the area indicate that marine trade was practiced in the region continuously from the 7t h century BC until the 7th century AD. Activity was intensified between the 4th and 7th centuries AD in Cilicia, the Levantine and North Africa. It is deduced that the Kekova Region was an important centre where almost all Mediterranean trade activities can be observed continuously from the Archaic Period until the Late Antique Period due to the fact that it was located in the middle of the east-west marine trade route along the southern coast of Anatolia.

Anahtar Kelimeler: