Gavin learns of a wreck dating from c.1305 BC. that was found on the sea bed of the nearby Turkish coast, and travels to view it in the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum. The Uluburun wreck is the kind of heart-stopping find that archaeologists dream about; one of those discoveries that helps rewrite history. The hoard salvaged from the wreck included Baltic amber from the north; ebony wood, hippopotamus teeth and elephant tusks from equatorial Africa; exquisitely-wrought gold and silver jewellery and a cornucopia of rich fruits and spices, as well as huge amphorae from the Lebanon; Terebinth resin, used to create perfumes; ebony, which had come all the way from Egypt; and goods from both the eastern and the western Mediterranean. It is a treasure trove, providing a snapshot into life in the14th century BC.
The wreck’s main cargo however was of significant importance. The hold contained the raw materials for making bronze, even in the right proportions: 10 tons of copper and 1 ton of tin.
This was truly a Bronze Age vessel, made with bronze tools and carrying enough copper and tin to make weapons for an army.
Further reading:
The Uluburun wreck:
http://www.guidebodrum.com/uluburun_wreck.htm
http://www.turkiye-wrecks.com/uluburuneng.html
Institute of Nautical Archaeology: http://inadiscover.com/
INA photos of the Uluburun wreck:
http://inadiscover.com/projects/all/southern_europe_mediterranean_aegean/uluburun_turkey/photo_galleries/
Cape Gelidonya wreck photos:
http://inadiscover.com/projects/all/southern_europe_mediterranean_aegean/cape_gelidonya_turkey/photo_galleries/
Robert Graves, The Greek Myths:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140171991/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=gavinnet06-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0140171991
