Ankara University Mustafa V. Koç Research Center for Maritime Archaeology, Turkey’s first underwater archaeology research-application center. Situated in Urla in the province of Izmir, the center was established by Ankara University Underwater Archaeology Research and Application Center with financial support from the
Vehbi Koç Foundation and help from the Turkish Foundation for Underwater Archaeology (TINA).
In 2009, Urla Municipality allotted an area of 11,000 square meters for the center in the Çeşmealtı district of Urla. Construction began in 2013 and the center opened in June 2015. The site is made up of five different units: a main building hosting administrative offices, conference room and library; indoor and outdoor restoration laboratories and storerooms; a 30-bed dormitory section for project participants; a five-room guest house and lodging buildings; and a 4,000-square-meter open exhibition area displaying the developments in maritime technology from ancient times until the present day.