Page 61 - TINA Dergi Sayi 7

TINA TINA

Denizcilik Arkeolojisi Dergisi Maritime Archaeology Periodical

Although there are no clues for dating it just like the has also been identified by these local divers. However,
Ereğli breakwater, it should be no coincidence that it is according to them, a large of number of amphoras have
referred to as “Genoese Debris” among the local peo- been already removed from the site. Yet, remains of two
ple. This breakwater, which runs under a modern road Y-shaped anchors are still visible in the area in preserved
embankment must be linked to the valley behind it. In condition because they were buried into the ground and
fact, similar construction techniques provide another luckily the divers didn’t understand their nature. Our de-
evidence for this argument. The Ereğli breakwater was tailed analysis showed that the Y-shaped blades of one
built as a very large construction on a solid foundation of the anchors were broken, only the body being pre-
with shaped and unshaped blocks while the other break- served (Fig. 11a), while the other anchor almost retained
water was probably built by filling in between two par- its full form with blades and body (Fig. 11b). The an-
allel extensions. We observe that the current breakwaters chors stood about 40 to 50 meters from each other in
located in the region are very thick and strong against the the east-west direction. A study of the anchor typology
hard weather conditions of the Black Sea. of ancient times showed that the stone anchors were fol-
lowed by wooden anchors with lead extensions, and then
ÇAVuŞAğZI meVKII by Y- and T-shaped anchors especially between the 9th-
One of the most important locations of our survey 11th centuries AD. A solid example of Y-shaped anchors
was the Çavuşağzı Bay at Cemaller Village of Zongul- in terms of form and chronology in Anatolian coast has
dak Province, which is located at the northernmost point been found during the excavations at the Serçe Limanı
of our research area in the 2016 campaign because De glass shipwreck dating from the 11th century AD.
14
Graauw defines a settlement called “Nymphaion” with
12
coordinates of this bay . In addition, survey during the COnCLUSIOn
13
2015 campaign yielded that the eastern shore of the bay The 2016 archaeological underwater survey that has
was trimmed to make a platform to allow the boats to been carried out on the coastline of Zonguldak Province
dock, and square-shaped nests of 15x15 cm were opened yielded both findings that support the work of the 2015
to place wooden posts for berthing (Fig. 9). During the campaign and new findings. The archaeo-physical stud-
2016 campaign, we both investigated this platform and ies carried out on the Ereğli breakwater and the other
dived into the bay. The river running from the valley in contemporary breakwater lying to the south have provid-
the south of the bay to the shoreline also supports identi- ed a better understanding of the current condition of these
fication of the site as Nymphaion. The site, most proba- structures. We are going to send a proposal to the Minis-
bly, provided a shelter to the boats traveling in the Black try of Culture and Tourism to declare these two sites as
Sea for fresh water and timber supply. Furthermore, the protected areas accompanied with registration documents
architectural elements (Fig. 10) found immediately on to be prepared based on the available information.
the shore can be considered as an indication of activity Besides, although uncertain, we concluded that
in this area during the ancient period. According to the Çavuşağzı Mevkii lying to the northwest of Ereğli
information obtained from local people, coal-carrying may be a potential harbor or at least a supply area. We
vessels had been using that quay until 1950s. believe that the land excavations that will be carried
out in this site will provide more detailed information.
SHIPwRECK SItES Perhaps the most important result of the 2016 cam-
We identified a potential shipwreck site at the entrance paign is the potential shipwreck site found at Kovla
of a large bay in an area called Kovla Mevkii immedi- Mevkii at a depth of 7 to 8 meters. In fact, if the in-
ately after the Alaplı District to the southwest of Kara- formation provided by local divers is true, this area
deniz Ereğlisi. We call it potential because it is a small, must be a shipwreck site with intense amphora finds.
rocky shore on a large sandy ground, which has been Unfortunately, no information is available about the
used as a hunting ground by local snail divers for a long form of amphoras.
period time. This approximately 7 to 8-meter-deep area

12 The word Nymphaion derives from Nymphe in the ancient Greek mythology, and is usually used for fountain structures and settle-
ments with fresh water resources.
13 DE GRAAUW 2014.
14 BASS 1972, 36-43; TURSUN 2010, fig. 26-27.
58 59