ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNDERWATER SURVEYS ON THE SHORES OF HATAY

Hatay has an important potential for coastal and underwater archeology.

Ancient coastal settlements such as Seleuekea Piera, Issos, Kinet Höyük, Rhosos, Sabuniye and Al-Mina, as well as Amik Plain settlements such as Antioch, Alalakh and Kunulua, which can be reached from the sea via the Asi river, are proof that the province of Hatay was in a unique region in prehistoric and historical periods. Beside anchors and other various remains, a total of four shipwrecks along Hatay’s coastline were identified. These unique coasts at the western area of the Silk Road are the least studied coasts of Turkey in terms of underwater archeology in the Mediterranean for now, but undoubtedly, new ones will be added to the existing sunken and other underwater remains in the coming years.