Shipwreck Yenikapı 12 was discovered in Yenikapı, Istanbul, Turkey in 2007 during rescue excavations carried out by Istanbul Archaeological Museums. The majority of the bottom of the shipwreck, found within the sediment-filled Theodosian Harbour, is intact and part of the cargo was found in situ. According to the results of reconstruction studies, YK12 was a small merchantman working coastal waters, approximately 9.24m in length and 2.64m in breadth. The shipwreck is dated to the 9th century AD and was built with a mixed construction using the shell-based method for the lower hull. Sample ID Timber type 14C age years BP Calibrated Probability Note OxA-23836 Floor-timber (Fr 11) 1246 ± 25 BP cal AD 681-870 95.4% Quercus sp OxA-23837 Plank (PS7-2) 1233 ± 24 BP cal AD 690-876 cal AD 762-876 95.4% 60.1% Castanea sativa OxA-23838 Central keel timber (keel 3) 1258 ± 25 BP cal AD 672-859 cal AD 672-818 95.4% 93.4% Fagus orientalis L.

The Theodosian harbour, unearthed during salvage excavations at Yenikapı by the Istanbul Archaeology Museums, has revealed many archaeological artefacts that have enriched the cultural history of Istanbul, in addition to 37 shipwrecks, which sank at different moments over a time span of approximately 600 years. The Byzantine galeai discovered are particularly important, as they constitute the first archaeological evidence of galleys in the early medieval age. In this article, we shall describe the construction characteristics of one of these galleys, YK16, within the context of the other galleys.

The important commercial center of Constantinople’s Theodosian Harbor was brought to light during the Yenikapı excavations carried out by the Istanbul Archaeological Museums for nine years, starting in 2004. Hundreds of thousands of archaeological finds and the remains of thirty-seven ships sunk in different centuries were discovered at the harbor site. Upon the invitation of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul University undertook the removal, documentation, and construction technology studies of twenty-seven shipwrecks and the conservation work of 31 shipwrecks. Shipwrecks were documented in situ and removed from the site using various methods appropriate to their preserved conditions. Post-excavation documentation, technology research, and conservation procedures of the Yenikapı shipwrecks continue today. This article aims to present a collective evaluation of the lifting and conservation methodology of shipwrecks carried out by the Division of Conservation of Marine Archaeological Objects of Istanbul University. In this context, the relationship between removing ship remains from the excavation site and conservation practices has been analyzed comparatively by referring to display styles.

Yenikapı 12 was discovered at the Yenikapı site in Istanbul, Turkey. The shipwreck has been dated to the 9 th century AD. According to the reconstruction, Yenikapı 12 was a small merchantman, approximately 9.24 m long and 2.64 m wide. It was propelled by a single-mast lateen sail and controlled by two quarter rudders. The full-scale sailing replica of the Yenikapı 12 was built based on the archaeological remains. The objective of the reconstruction was to conceive a 9 th century AD trading vessel in its original form and dimensions, to identify its functionality, performance and capacity.