A 4,700-year-old shipwreck found near Turkey
Read about the world's oldest shipwreck and discuss what it tells us about ancient life.
Written for any B1 learner. Adapt it to make it about your student: their level, their work, their goals.
Introduction
Imagine finding something that people last touched almost 5,000 years ago. This lesson is about the discovery of the world's oldest shipwreck, found off the coast of Turkey. Before you read, think about this: have you ever seen a very old object in a museum, and what did it make you think about?
Key Vocabulary
8 wordsLearn these words before reading the article. They will help you understand the text better.
cargo
The goods that a ship, plane, or truck carries from one place to another.
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anchor
A heavy metal or stone object dropped from a boat into the water to stop it from moving.
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surface
The top or outside part of something, especially the water or the ground.
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residue
A small amount of something that remains after the main part has gone or been used.
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vessel
A large boat or ship. It can also mean a container for liquids.
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currents
The steady movement of water or air in a particular direction.
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expedition
An organised journey by a group of people for a special purpose, often exploration or research.
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artefacts
Objects made by people in the past that are found by historians or archaeologists.
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Article
Read the article carefully. Take your time to understand the main ideas.
Listen to the article. The sentence being read is highlighted; click any word to hear it.
Archaeologists have found the world's oldest shipwreck under the sea near Turkey. They say it is between 4,400 and 4,700 years old. That means it dates to the Early Bronze Age, around the time the Great Pyramid in Egypt was built.
The wooden ship itself has disappeared over time. However, the cargo it was carrying is still lying on the sea floor. Divers found more than 30 ceramic storage pots, called amphorae. They also discovered three large stone anchors. The site is close to the shore of Kekova Island, about 30 metres below the surface.
Because no wood remained, scientists could not use radiocarbon dating. This method only works on organic materials. Instead, they studied the shape and style of the amphorae. Pottery styles changed over the centuries, so they can show us when an object was made. The team compared the pots to other examples found in Egypt and the Middle East. The design, with two handles and a flat base, was common in the Early Bronze Age.
After the pots were brought to the surface, researchers made an exciting discovery. Some of the amphorae still contained a thick, shiny residue. Scientists are now testing this material. They believe it could be olive oil, wine, or tree resin. One expert suggested that people probably reused these large, valuable jars for many years.
The ship was a trade vessel. Experts think it started its journey on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was probably sailing to the ancient city of Troy or to the Minoan people on the island of Crete. The area around Kekova Island is known for strong currents and winds. These conditions have caused many ships to sink over thousands of years.
The leader of the expedition said that diving on the wreck is a powerful experience. He thinks about the sailors, the people who made the pots, and the families who waited for them. The artefacts will soon be shown to the public in a new underwater archaeology museum in Antalya.
Comprehension Questions
Answer these questions to check your understanding of the article.
- 1How old is the shipwreck found near Turkey?
- 2Why could the scientists not use radiocarbon dating on this ship?
- 3What kind of objects did the divers find on the sea floor?
- 4What did researchers discover inside some of the pots?
- 5Where did the experts think the ship started its journey?
- 6Where will the artefacts be shown to the public?
Further Discussion
Discuss these questions about the topic and your personal experiences.
- 1What do you think is the most interesting thing about this discovery?
- 2If you could ask the archaeologists one question, what would it be?
- 3Why do you think people reused large jars instead of making new ones?
- 4What objects from today do you think archaeologists will find in 4,000 years?
- 5Have you ever travelled by boat? What was the experience like?
- 6In your country, is there a famous historical site that people visit to learn about the past?
Wrap-up & Reflection
Today we read about an incredible discovery that helps us understand ancient trade and daily life. We also practised vocabulary related to archaeology and the sea. For a final thought, imagine you are a sailor on this ship 4,700 years ago. What do you see and feel as you start your journey?
Make it about your student
Same story, rewritten at your student's level, with discussion questions about their job, goals and weak spots. The vocabulary stays from the news, so they learn words outside their usual topics.
Sources
LinguaFlow wrote this article for language learners from facts reported by the sources below. Read them for the full story.