<![CDATA[Selcuk- 1, Turkey’s first underwater archeology research vessel, is set to go off on its discovery course with a team from a few Universities in Turkey. The launch of the vessel shows new strides in underwater archeology, has grown over the years and extends beyond just merely uncovering undersea wreckages. The vessel was launched by Selcuk University in Konya and is rightly owned by the University. Underwater archeology does not only involve the study of shipwrecks, but also takes into consideration seismic activities. Much underwater wreckage has been able to exist on the ocean floor for years preserving a host of relevant information that can be linked to historical events such as wars and voyages from famous ships. For an underwater archeologist, the water is their biggest challenge. One of the largest difficulties faced by these archeologists is the way in which pieces are scattered across a wide expanse of water making it, in most cases, impossible to find all the pieces that are missing. It gives sheer pleasure to discover and analyze some of the oceans treasures though the complete find might be thousands of miles away or utterly destroyed. With seven underwater cameras, modern diving equipment, and sonar scanners, the Selcuk 1 is built to accommodate twenty people, and according to Director of Selcuk University Underwater Research and Application Centre, Hakan Oniz, the Selcuk 1 will serve a dual duty of undersea exploration as well as accommodate explorations in marine biology. It is seen as Turkey’s first underwater explorer, built to ease certain pressures that might hinder exploring underwater wreckages and relics that might have somehow ended up on the ocean floor. Many underwater types of wreckage remain undiscovered because of a lack of requisite equipment needed to thoroughly and adequately excavate potential finds. Underwater archeology involves discovering those things that the sea refuses to just return to land and keeps well hidden beneath the shoreline or on the ocean floor. Covering mainly, but not exclusively, shipwrecks, any discovery made has to be carefully analyzed so that it is preserved as much as possible. Only wrecks that are potentially threatening to (or by) the immediate area for example, are excavated. Many stories can be told about the underwater discoveries; the battles that were fought on some of the sunken ships, food that was carried on vessels during the time period and clothing for example is another piece of evidence of the lifestyles of those directly connected with any discovered wreckage. The seriousness of underwater archeology took a great turn in 1960 when a Bronze Age shipwreck in Turkey was set upon to be explored by an archeologist named George Bass along with Peter Throckmorton, an explorer. The wreckage was located at Cape Gelionya. Technology has come a far way since Bass’ early experience learning to dive and conducting his archeological searches under water. Selcuk 1 is testament to the advancement in underwater archeology and as they embark on new discoveries they are hoping to discover a number of hidden undiscovered cities in Turkey.]]>
Underwater Archeology Vessel Launched in Turkey
