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A rare sea withdrawal along the Duzler coast in Balikesir’s Erdek district has brought long-submerged remains of the ancient Hytos Harbor to the surface, revealing one of the key maritime structures of the ancient city of Cyzicus (Kyzikos).
The unexpected drop in sea level, measured at roughly 20 to 30 meters, has uncovered stone features normally hidden underwater, drawing both curiosity and concern among local residents.
Drone footage and images taken along the coast have captured sand islets and aligned stone blocks emerging in shallow waters, offering visitors a chance to walk across areas that are usually submerged. Many people arrived at the scene to observe the exposed structures and to examine the visible layout of the ancient harbor from close range, turning the coastline into an open-air archaeological display.
Specialists explained that this occurrence should not be viewed as extraordinary, noting that similar withdrawals may happen when meteorological conditions align. They pointed out that sustained winds blowing in the same direction can occasionally push water away from the coastline in Erdek and nearby Edincik, leading to temporary sea recession.
The newly visible remains belong to Hytos Harbor, known in antiquity as one of the main maritime gateways of Cyzicus. The ancient city, founded by Pelasgian settlers and later transformed through Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods, stood at a strategic junction linking the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean through the Sea of Marmara. This position allowed Cyzicus to rise as a powerful commercial hub, especially during the final stages of the Peloponnesian War.
The harbor supported long-distance trade routes that extended through the Dardanelles toward wider Mediterranean networks. It played a role in sustaining the commercial influence of Cyzicus, which minted gold staters widely used across the ancient world and maintained a strong regional presence through successive empires.
Historians place particular emphasis on its function as a key stop along maritime corridors that shaped economic and political interactions in antiquity.
Its archaeological landscape includes remnants of city walls, sections of a Roman aqueduct, theatre remains, and foundations of a monumental temple dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. Although later earthquakes caused substantial destruction, Cyzicus maintained regional significance until the medieval period.
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