Archaeologists Raise Ancient Amphorae from Ocean Floor After 3000 Years
In the expansive Mediterranean Sea, a 3000-year-old shipwreck with an intact cargo has been unearthed off the Israeli coast, as announced by the London-based energy company Energean. The Israeli Antiquities Authority has hailed the find as "revolutionary."
Around 90km from the Israeli shoreline, the ship bore a staggering load of amphorae - ancient jars with two handles, used to store goods like wine and olive oil during the Bronze Age. Energean discovered this ancient treasure trove during a routine seabed survey, utilizing a submersible robot, at a depth of over 1600 meters.
These jars, as per the Antiquities Authority, date back to the late Bronze Age and likely belonged to the Canaanites, who inhabited the region that encompasses modern-day Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Inside the jars were found items like oil, wine, and fruit.
Proving Ancient Seafaring Skills
The impressive quantity of amphorae on a single vessel signifies the significant trading ties between ancient civilizations along the Mediterranean coast, according to Jacob Sharvit, director of the Marine Archaeology Department. This shipwreck is the first of its kind to be discovered in the deep sea, as per the Israeli Antiquities Authority. It presumably sank due to a storm or pirate attack.
Only two shipwrecks with cargo from the late Bronze Age have been found prior to this discovery—both located off the Turkish coast, very close to the shore. Sharvit considers this find to be proof that seafarers in those times traversed the sea without sightings of land. The find offers unique insights into the navigational abilities of ancient seafarers, with Sharvit suggesting they may have relied on the sun and stars for navigation.
Energean extracts gas from the Karish Field off the Israeli coast, which led to the discovery of the shipwreck about a year ago. Employees of the company, along with the Antiquities Authority, conducted a detailed investigation of the site using a specialized deep-sea vessel. They determined that it was the cargo of a ship approximately 12 to 14 meters in length.
Anticipated Summer Exhibition
Recovery efforts of the amphorae, reportedly conducted two weeks ago by the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz", are set to be exhibited to the public this summer, as per the Antiquities Authority. The fate of the rest of the cargo and possible ship remains is not yet clear. "Haaretz" reports that the wood beams of the ship, which were above the ocean floor, have vanished.
