Marine archaeologists using high-resolution sonar and underwater ROVs have identified the remains of a fortified maritime base near the modern-day town of Kaş. The site features massive stone slipways, fortified sea walls, and several submerged hulls of small, fast-attack vessels consistent with historical descriptions of Cilician pirate "hemiolias."
This discovery offers the first physical evidence of the tactical infrastructure used by the Mediterranean pirates who once challenged the Roman Republic's naval dominance. Preliminary excavations have yielded a wealth of plundered Roman and Hellenistic coins, along with specialized naval tools and lead shot. The presence of a dedicated shipyard suggests a high level of organization and permanence for this piratical enclave.