The ruins of the ancient Greek port city of Adramytteion on Turkey’s eastern coast emerged from the sea, after sea levels in the region recently receded.
The remains of the ancient harbor, built around the 4th century BC, sit in the area of Burhaniye of Balikesir province on the coast of Asia Minor. The sea has retreated by at least 40 meters, according to local residents, forming small islets along the coast. Locals rushed to the area to walk on the beach and film the rare phenomenon with their phones while birds landed on the protruding stones of the 2,500-year-old harbor.
One local resident said that the sea could have receded after the devastating earthquakes that hit southern Turkey in February 2023, killing tens of thousands. “The area is already shallow so even when the water recedes a little, it is obvious immediately. But we still don’t know if now it’s because of the earthquake.”
The ancient Greek port is one of the main traces that have survived to this day from the ancient city of Adramytteion. The ancient port breakwater, the only part that still lingers visible from the two known ports of Adramytteion has preserved its physical structure to a great extent and is partially collapsed in a very shallow seawater.
Another local, Kemal, who went to visit the ancient port told Haberler.com that while he has lived in the area for 10 years, “I have seen the sea recede but this is the first time I have seen it recede this much. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to walk on the Adramytteion ancient port.”
Another local, Hamdi Mengi, expressed concerns for witnessing the sea “receding this much.” “We saw sea cucumbers and crabs. I hope the sea receding this much is not a sign of disaster.”
The revealed ruins have also been filmed by a drone, giving archaeologists and researchers a better understanding and view of the archaeological site.
Balıkesir'in Burhaniye ilçesinde denizin çekilmesiyle 2 bin 500 yıllık Adramytteion Antik Kenti’nin limanı ortaya çıktı. Antik limanın taşlarına kuşlar kondu, çevredekiler üzerinde gezdi. pic.twitter.com/NhGyrVutDx
— Hürriyet.com.tr (@Hurriyet) February 9, 2025
The ancient Greek city of Adramytteion
Adramytteion, also known as Adramyttium, was an ancient city in Aeolis, in what today is Turkey, located four kilometers west of the modern town of Burhaniye. According to Aristotle, the city was founded and named after Adramytos, the son of King Alyattes of Lydia.
The site of Adramytteion was originally settled by Leleges, the indigenous inhabitants of the Aegean littoral, and people from the neighboring region of Mysia. The area was later settled by Lydians, Cimmerians, and Aeolian Greeks, who gave their name to the region of Aeolis. The area became part of the “peraia” (mainland territory) of the city-state of Mytilene in the 8th century BC and the city of Adramytteion was founded in the 6th century BC.
Following his victory at the Battle of the Granicus in 334 BC, the city came under the control of Alexander the Great.
After his death in 323 BC, his empire was divided among the Diadochi at the Partition of Babylon. Several wars followed and Adramytteion was annexed to the Seleucid Empire after 281 BC.
In the early third century BC, an artificial port was constructed, which subsequently allowed the city to overshadow the neighboring port of Cisthene.
Attalus III, the last king of Pergamon, bestowed his kingdom to the Romans in his will and in 133 BC, Adramytteion came under Roman control. The city became part of the province of Asia.
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