A replica of the oldest known shipwreck, Uluburun II, built by the 360 Degree Historical Research Association in Urla, Izmir, arrived in Bodrum for display as part of activities marking the 80th anniversary of Cabotage Day. Previously the ship had anchored in Istanbul, Marmaris, Cyprus and Kas readying for the Cabotage Day celebrations, a maritime festival that commemorates the establishment of Turkey's sea borders and celebrated annually on July 1. 
     The Uluburun II, which is on display in Bodrum and sponsored by the Bodrum Peninsula Promotion Foundation started to be built in 2004 using late Bronze Age techniques and was launched in 2005. Following a one-month stay in Bodrum, the ship will set sail for Greece's Istankoy and Kilimli islands, aiming to promote Turkey and its underwater archeological wealth. Archaeologist Osman Erkurt, who is also the ship's captain, said: "Our main difficulty is finding sponsors for voyages. Sometimes we only had YTL 10 when we set sail."
     The Uluburun sank in the 14th century BCE 8.5 kilometers southeast of Kas in Uluburun Bay while carrying copper and tin from Alexandria to Crete. It was discovered in 1982 by a diver. The remains of the shipwreck were unearthed by an excavation team consisting of archaeologists and divers and the process has lasted over 20 years. The artifacts discovered in the Uluburun shipwreck are still on display at the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum. 

Source: Turkish Daily News (28 June 2006)