Israeli Discovery Unveils 3,300-Year-Old Shipwreck: A History-Changing Find

By Trend News Line 2024-06-20 11:09:57.

The Oldest Ship Ever Found in the Deep Sea Uncovered off Israel’s Northern Coast

In a groundbreaking discovery, the Israel Antiquities Authority has announced the finding of the most ancient ship ever discovered in the deep sea. The 3,300-year-old ship was located off Israel’s northern coast, approximately 55 miles from shore at a depth of just over 1 mile. The state-run archaeological body shared that the ship’s cargo included hundreds of intact amphorae, shedding light on trade practices more than three millennia ago.

Advanced Navigation Skills of Ancient Mariners Revealed

The find has provided valuable insights into the advanced navigation skills of ancient mariners in the Late Bronze Age Canaanite period. Jacob Sharvit, head of the IAA Marine Unit, described the discovery as “world-class” and “history-changing.” He highlighted the mariners’ ability to traverse the Mediterranean Sea without a line of sight to any coast, suggesting that they likely used celestial bodies for navigation by taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions.

A Unique Crisis at Sea

Sharvit speculated that the ship may have sunk during a crisis, possibly due to a storm or an attempted piracy attack, which was a common occurrence during the Late Bronze Age. The shipwreck is a rare find, as only two other wrecks with cargo from the same period have been discovered in the Mediterranean Sea, both relatively close to the shore. The academic assumption until now was that trade during that time was conducted by staying within sight of the coastline, but this discovery challenges that notion.

Unveiling the Mystery of the Deep Sea

The remarkable find was made during a routine seafloor survey conducted by a leading natural gas company, Energean. Karnit Bahartan, a representative of the company, described the moment they stumbled upon the ancient ship’s cargo, noting that it was a “sensational discovery” beyond their expectations. The jugs found on the seafloor were identified as the most efficient means of transporting products like oil, wine, and agricultural goods in the ancient world.

Public Display of Ancient Treasures

The artifacts recovered from the shipwreck will be displayed to the public in Jerusalem, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the remnants of a bygone era. The discovery not only adds to our understanding of ancient maritime trade but also showcases the ingenuity and skills of ancient mariners who navigated the seas without modern technology. The find serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of humanity’s exploration of the world’s oceans..

Israeli discovery shipwreck history-changing
Israeli ancient shipwreck archaeological find.