The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is one of Turkey`s most significant museums, dedicated to maritime history and the sunken treasures of the Mediterranean. It is housed within the Castle of St. Peter, a majestic 15th-century fortress built by the Knights Hospitaller. The museum`s exhibits are displayed across several towers of the castle, each preserving unique artifacts recovered from the seabed.
Location: The Italian and French Towers
The main collections of the museum are concentrated in the Italian and French Towers of the castle:
• Italian Tower – Features artifacts from ancient shipwrecks, including amphorae, anchors, and everyday objects.
• French Tower – Showcases jewelry, coins, and glass vessels recovered from sunken ships.
However, the museum`s masterpiece is displayed in a separate pavilion – the Uluburun Shipwreck, the oldest vessel ever discovered in the Mediterranean.
The Uluburun Ship – An Ancient Merchant Vessel
In 1982, near Uluburun Cape (close to Kaş), a Bronze Age ship from the 14th century BC was discovered – one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ship carried a valuable cargo:
• 10 tons of Cypriot copper in ingot form;
• Glass, ivory, and gold jewelry;
• Precious stones and Egyptian scarabs;
• Amphorae filled with olive oil and wine.
The ship was likely sailing from the Levant to the Aegean Sea but sank off the Anatolian coast. Today, an exact replica is displayed in the museum, while the original artifacts can be seen in glass cases.
Exhibits at the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology
The museum`s collection offers insight into ancient trade and daily life in the Mediterranean:
• Ancient amphorae – Thousands of vessels from different eras (Mycenaean to Roman).
• Anchors and ship equipment – Stone and lead anchors, ancient tools.
• Glassware – Elegant jugs, beads, and perfume bottles.
• Coins and jewelry – Gold rings, earrings, and pendants.
• Weapons and armor – Swords, arrowheads, and knightly armor from the castle.
Most Valuable Artifacts
• Golden scarab of Queen Nefertiti (found in the Uluburun wreck);
• Glass fish-shaped goblet (Roman era);
• Mycenaean bronze sword;
• Ancient Greek painted pottery.
The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology is a journey through time, where each exhibit tells a story of seafaring, trade, and lost civilizations.
