Bozburun Byzantine Shipwreck Excavation

Bozburun Home, Artifact & Image Gallery, Shipwreck Site Plan


Ship's Hull

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BK-74.06.jpg (170117 bytes) The first area of substantial hull remains to be uncovered, late in the 1996 season. This area is just forward of amidships. The timber running over the top of the three transverse timbers is a chamfered pine stringer, set about 35 cm to starboard of the keel. The transverse timbers are three of the ships frames, also of pine. (slide# BK-74.06) Photo: INA. BK-76.33.jpg (155100 bytes) A view of the same area from the port side.  (slide# BK-76.33) Photo: INA.
 
BK-88.14.jpg (72867 bytes) The same area after further cleaning to expose the keel and planking lying under the frames. Almost all of the frames broke off at the port side of the keel, where deep limber holes (passages in the bottom og the frames to allow bilge water to circulate) weakened the frames. (slide# BK-88.14) Photo: INA. BK-83.27.jpg (134218 bytes) A view in between two of the frames, showing the top of the keel standing slightly proud of the surrounding planking. Both keel and planking are of oak (Quercus sp., probably Q. ilex). (slide# BK-83.27) Photo: INA.
 
BK-120.02.jpg (165986 bytes) Frames in the after half of the wreck, exposed during the 1998 season. All are broken or eroded off at or near the keel (the right), but extend out to and part way around the turn of the bilge (to the left), thus providing a good indication of the shape of the hull. (slide# BK-120.02) Photo: INA. BK-118.30.jpg (130621 bytes) A view of the same frames from down slope (forward), showing the graceful S-curves visible in the stern. The frames in the bow are somewhat straighter, suggesting a hull with a fuller entrance and finer run, as was also seen on the 11th-century ship at Serçe Liman. (slide# BK-118.30) Photo: INA.
 
BK-121.25.jpg (154401 bytes) The last amphora left on the wreck, shortly before its removal. It rests on top of two frames and fragments of a centerline timber lying on top of the frames. This timber turned out to be very badly preserved, but may be a maststep or keelson. (slide# BK-121.25) Photo: INA. BK-125.05.jpg (198901 bytes) The after end of the keel, where it began to run up into the sternpost, and some of the planking on the starboard side. Note the amphora poking out from under the planking. This is part of the cargo that arrived on the bottom ahead of the ship and ended up trapped against the keel. Eventually, as the stern collapsed, the planks bent over and around the amphora. (slide# BK-125.05) Photo: INA.