Underwater ancient discovery off Marmara Sea

Amateur fisherman and diver Fatih Kayrak found amphora and vessel wreckage a few months ago in the same region. The vessel is thought to date back to the ancient era. 

When examining the remains of the vessel, Kayrak also recorded previously unknown findings, including large columns and sarcophaguses, 8-10 meters underwater in the Fırıncık Cove. 

The findings may have been part of a temple, close to the ruins of the Priapos and Parion ancient cities. Historians say Parion was a coastal town of the Roman Empire. 

“We believe there was intensive marine trade in this region in the Roman era. These latest findings verify our thesis,” said the head of the Parion ancient city excavations, Professor Vedat Keleş.

Keleş said the columns and sarcophaguses might have been carried by a vessel trading on the Marmara Island. 

“This may be an unknown ancient city. We can only find out by looking at the visual details. It will become clear after examinations by underwater archaeologists,” he added. 

In recent years, the surrounding region has become a topic of debate over thermal power plant projects. The area where the new discoveries were made has been cited as a port construction area. 

The coordinates of the remains have now been sent to the Bodrum Underwater Museum with requests that the area is taken under protection because the remains could be covered over during the port construction.