Credit : Israel Antiquities Authority
Cargo from ‘most ancient’ shipwreck found off Israel
This discovery is quite significant for several reasons. The shipwreck, dating back 3,300 years, provides a remarkable glimpse into ancient maritime practices and trade routes in the Mediterranean region. The intact amphorae (ancient storage jars) suggest that the vessel was likely involved in the transportation of goods, possibly for trade.
The depth at which the shipwreck was found—1,800 meters (5,905 feet)—indicates the vessel sunk far from the coast, which supports the theory that ancient sailors had advanced navigational skills. The ability to use celestial navigation, relying on the sun and stars for bearings, highlights the sophistication of their maritime knowledge.
Such findings contribute significantly to our understanding of ancient seafaring, trade networks, and the technological capabilities of past civilizations. The preservation of the amphorae also offers valuable insights into the types of goods transported and the economic interactions between different regions during that period.
Credit : Israel Antiquities Authority
The discovery of this ancient shipwreck and its cargo of amphorae is groundbreaking, particularly in how it challenges previously held academic assumptions about Bronze Age maritime trade. The amphorae are believed to have been used by the Canaanite people, who inhabited a region spanning from modern-day Turkey to Egypt. This suggests the ship was part of a broader trade network involving these areas.
Conservation efforts were carefully undertaken, with only two amphorae being removed using specially designed tools to avoid disturbing the rest of the site. Dr. Bahartan described the discovery as “truly sensational,” highlighting its importance in the field of archaeology. She noted that the only two other known shipwrecks with cargo from the late Bronze Age in the Mediterranean were found closer to the Turkish coast using standard diving equipment.
Prior to this find, it was assumed that Bronze Age trade was conducted by “safely flitting from port to port,” keeping within sight of the coastline. The discovery of this shipwreck, located far from any landmass and at a great depth, indicates that ancient mariners were capable of open-sea navigation, relying on celestial bodies for guidance. This fundamentally changes our understanding of ancient mariner abilities, suggesting that ancient traders were more adventurous and technologically advanced than previously believed.
Credit : Israel Antiquities Authority
According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the shipwreck is the “first and oldest” to be found in the region. It likely sank during a storm or as a result of a pirate attack. Jacob Sharvit, head of the IAA’s marine unit, stated that this find reveals ancient mariners’ navigational skills like never before. He emphasized that our ancestors were capable of traversing the Mediterranean Sea without a line of sight to any coast, navigating by taking sightings and angles of the sun and star positions.
The cargo, a large pile of jugs heaped on the seafloor, was spotted by robot submersibles belonging to the oil and gas firm Energean, which was surveying for potential new energy sources off the Israeli coast. Cameras on the submersibles detected the amphorae, leading to the identification of the shipwreck. Karnit Bahartan from Energean noted the remarkable nature of this discovery.
The jars from the shipwreck are expected to be displayed this summer at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, allowing the public and scholars to view these remarkable artifacts. This find not only provides new insights into ancient Canaanite trade practices but also highlights the sophisticated navigational skills of Bronze Age mariners, expanding our understanding of their capabilities and the extent of their trade networks.
More info: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedd0l1wk8qo
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