Open AccessThe Y enikapı B yzantine‐ E ra S hipwrecks, I stanbul, T urkey: a preliminary report and inventory of the 27 wrecks studied by I stanbul U niversity
Author(s) -
Kocabaş Ufuk
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of nautical archaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.357
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1095-9270
pISSN - 1057-2414
DOI - 10.1111/1095-9270.12084
Subject(s) - peninsula , archaeology , excavation , geography
Salvage excavations conducted in the Y enikapı quarter of the historic peninsula of I stanbul by the I stanbul Archaeological Museums 2004–2013 have brought to light the T heodosian H arbour on the Sea of M armara. In addition to thousands of archaeological artefacts, a total of 37 shipwrecks dating from the 5th to the 11th centuries AD were uncovered, constituting the biggest collection of medieval ships uncovered at a single excavation site. The present article deals with 27 wrecks in the charge of the team from I stanbul U niversity's Department of Conservation of Marine Archaeological Objects, consisting of 23 merchantmen and four galleys. The wrecks are presented with their general characteristics. The preliminary evidence from the Y enikapı wrecks regarding the development from shell‐based to skeleton‐based philosophy is discussed, and various building phases presented.