ARCHAEOLOGICAL UNDERWATER SURVEYS ON THE SHORES OF HATAY

Hatay holds significant potential for coastal and underwater archaeology.

Ancient coastal settlements such as Seleuceia Pieria, Issos, Kinet Höyük, Rhosos, Sabuniye, and Al-Mina, as well as Amik Plain settlements like Antioch, Alalakh, and Kunulua—accessible from the sea via the Asi River—serve as evidence that Hatay was a unique region during both prehistoric and historical periods. In addition to anchors and various other remains, a total of four shipwrecks along Hatay's coastline have been identified.

These unique coasts, located in the western area of the Silk Road, are among the least studied in Türkiye in terms of underwater archaeology in the Mediterranean. However, it is expected that new discoveries will add to the existing sunken and other underwater remains in the coming years.