Divers find trove of artifacts — including rifles and bullets — on Ottoman shipwreck

Divers recently recovered a trove of artifacts from an Ottoman shipwreck off the coast of Turkey.

The wreck — which is currently being excavated — is located near Datça, a port town in southwestern Turkey, the country’s minister of culture and tourism announced in a Sept. 22 news release.

Among the findings were lead bullets, exploded cannonballs and rifles that belonged to Janissaries, who were elite fighters in the Ottoman army.

Chinese porcelain was also recovered, some of which was still in its packaging, the release said.

A video accompanying the release shows a diver holding a small porcelain bowl painted with a blue bird.

Numerous other artifacts, including combs, pipes, and ceramic jars and jugs — which likely belonged to the crew — were also located, according to the Hurriyet Daily News, a Turkish newspaper.

The findings indicate the vessel was on a diplomatic mission and likely sank following a conflict.

The ship, which may have originated somewhere in North Africa, is believed to have gone down sometime near the end of the 17th century, according to the outlet.

The Ottoman Empire, which once spanned much of Europe, Asia an North Africa, lasted from 1285 to 1923.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Turkish government.

This story was originally published September 27, 2024 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Divers find trove of artifacts — including rifles and bullets — on Ottoman shipwreck."