by Hakan Oniz, director of the Cultural Heritage Commission.

In recent years, a shipwreck estimated to be around 2,100 years old was documented near Adrasan in the Kumluca district of Antalya province, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. This shipwreck, loaded with ceramic plates, lies at an average depth of 42–52 metres. It is believed that the ship set sail from the town of Arsuz in the Antakya district of Hatay province, Turkey, and was likely headed to the Roman port of Ostia, stopping at Rhodes and the surrounding islands along the way. The wreck is currently being excavated by expert underwater archaeologists, and the artefacts will be exhibited at the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum in the Kemer district of Antalya. Lionfish can also be found alongside the underwater archaeologists at the wreck site. This species is normally dangerous due to the venom in its spines. However, over time, a bond has formed between the archaeologists and the fish, and they have been observed not to harm one another. Nevertheless, you must absolutely stay away from these fish. If you come across any artefacts or historical remains that appear to be of human origin, do not touch them and notify the nearest museum.