Abstract:

Kekova Island is near Üçağız village within the borders of the Demre District of Antalya Province. Since 2012, researches have been carried out both on the island and underwater. In the underwater surveys conducted in 2016, a new wreck area was identified. The wreck area is located very near the Basket-handled Amphora Wreck, which is off the Tersane Bay and dates from the Archaic Period. Due to its location, despite the region's intense sea traffic, some of the terracotta vessels in the cargo of this shipwreck have survived intact to today. Since the discovery and protection of these cultural assets is of great importance, a rescue excavation was performed in this priority area, which awaits urgent intervention. To determine the exact types of pottery vessels intact in the area it was investigated with scientific-systematic methods and they were brought to the surface employing suitable methods and techniques. They were then placed in desalination tanks installed in the museum environment. Within the scope of this underwater rescue excavation, amphorae, terracotta kitchen vessels, objects for ship use, some vessel forms of undetermined origins, bronze vessels and metal objects were identified. The finds were studied to determine their origin, function and date. The pottery vessels and objects obtained as a result of this rescue work were examined in detail and are introduced to the world of science.

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