The Stone Anchor Presented to the Public for the First Time
Discovered by Tevfik Camgöz off the coast of Kyrenia and recovered from underwater in 2020 with the permission of the Department of Antiquities and Museums and under the supervision of technical staff with scientific contributions from Cyprus International University, the Stone Anchor was introduced to the public for the first time in a meaningful event.
Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, Fikri Ataoğlu, said:
“We thank Cyprus International University and the Department of Antiquities. After long and dedicated efforts, we are delighted to showcase this unique artifact today.”
Rector of the Cyprus International University (CIU), Prof. Dr. Halil Nadiri, stated:
“Our university’s Center for Archaeology, Cultural Heritage, and Conservation has made significant contributions during the discovery, removal, and preservation of this unique artifact.”
He emphasized that the center not only worked toward the preservation of the artifact but also served as a bridge connecting the past with the present. He also thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment, the management of the Department of Antiquities and Museums, and the academic and technical teams involved in the project.
Director of the Department of Antiquities and Museums, Emine Ziba, expressed pride in the achievement, saying: “We are proud to be holding this meaningful opening today after intense efforts,” and thanked everyone who contributed.
The scientific excavation of the stone anchor was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Şevketoğlu, a faculty member at Cyprus International University. The desalination process was meticulously carried out over two years by conservator Pembe Özen.
According to its general typology, the one-holed stone anchor, dated to the Late Bronze Age (1479–1100 BC), is classified as a “Syrian type.” It was originally used as a stele (memorial stone) associated with Egypt. The stele, inscribed with 13 lines of hieroglyphs, was later repurposed by sailors as a ship anchor, believed to have talismanic qualities.
Figures such as astragals (ankle bones), dolphins, and the head of Medusa on the stele are thought to symbolize good luck and protection in seafaring. The inscriptions point to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose II (circa 1493–1479 BC). In this regard, it is the only anchor discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean to contain the longest inscribed text known to date.
It is believed that the anchor was lost during a storm while anchoring, and its story reaching the present day holds great significance for the scientific community.
During the event, a short documentary film depicting the anchor’s underwater recovery process was also presented to viewers. This unique artifact, which brings the maritime culture, belief systems, and trade relations of the past into the present, transcends being a mere archaeological find, becoming a powerful narrative that sheds light on Cyprus’s cultural heritage.