Yassi Ada

Reconstruction of 7th-century shipwreck at Yassi Ada
History
Name:	7th-century wreck at Yassi Ada
Owner:	Byzantine Empire
In service:	625/626 AD or later
Identification:	Byzantine
Fate:	Sunk
Notes:
General characteristics
Depth:	106-129 feet (32-39 m)
Notes:	Ship hull length:21m or 69ft Ship found by: Kanal Aras Number of amphora discovered:900 Number of dives during excavations:3,533 Cost of excavation expeditions:$95,000

Ship hull length:21m or 69ft Ship found by: Kanal Aras Number of amphora discovered:900 Number of dives during excavations:3,533

Yassi Ada is an island off the coast of Bodrum, Turkey. This area of the Mediterranean Sea is prone to strong winds, making a safe journey around the island difficult. The island could be called a ships' graveyard, on account of the number of wrecked ships off its southeastern tip. Three wreck sites have been excavated under the direction of George Bass of Texas A&M University. The first to be studied using archaeological techniques was a 4th-century Byzantine wreck, the second a 7th-century Byzantine wreck, and the third a 16th-century Ottoman wreck. Bass received funding for a summer excavation at the site from the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania and the National Geographic Society.

Yassi Ada is an island situated between Turgutreis and the Greek island of Pserimo. It measures 200 metres by 150 metres, with an elevation of 11 metres. Approximately 200 metres southwest of the island is a dangerous reef that has caught many sailors unawares. The ruins of several vessels that crashed into the hidden reef can be found there, representing a range of periods and styles. Ship material is sometimes visible on top of the reef, since it rises three metres above the surface of the water.

The University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania under its director George Bass excavated a shipwreck site near Yassi Ada in 1967 and 1969. This expedition was funded by the Museum and the National Geographic Society. A few students from the university joined the team, along with an architect and a physician. The main site under excavation was a 4th-century vessel 19 metres in length, lying between 36 and 42 metres below the sea surface 100 metres south of Yassi Ada. Its hull was made of cypress, and the keel of white oak. There is also a 7th-century vessel near the reef, with one end resting over another wrecked vessel.