The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) revealed Monday that a scuba diver discovered a meter-long sword dating from the Crusader period on the seabed off of Carmel coast in the city of Haifa.
Shlomi Katzin, the diver, discovered various ancient relics, including pottery fragments, stone and metal anchors, and the blade, which had most likely resurfaced due to sand shifting.
He brought the artifact to the surface and informed the IAA, fearing it might be buried up again, according to JPost.
"The sword, which has been preserved in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find and evidently belonged to a Crusader knight,"
IAA's Robbery Prevention Unit Inspector Nir Distelfeld said.
"It was found encrusted with marine organisms but is apparently made of iron. It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords."
The Crusader sword was discovered in a natural harbor that has been used as a temporary natural refuge for ships since the Late Bronze Age, approximately 4,000 years ago, according to the IAA.
These conditions have attracted commerce ships throughout history, leaving behind a plethora of archaeological artifacts. The newly discovered sword is just one example.
The IAA was previously aware of the precise location where the sword was discovered. Because of the ever-changing conditions, identifying archaeological remains on the seafloor can be difficult. As a result, unexpected discoveries can have a significant impact.
Underwater surveying is dynamic, according to the IAA. Even the tiniest storm shifts the sand, exposing portions of the sea floor while burying others.
It is consequently critical to disclose such discoveries, and the organization endeavors to document them in situ in order to recover as much archaeological data as possible.
Since an earlier find in June of this year, archeologists have been keeping an eye on this particular area on the Carmel coast. Discoveries, however, are elusive, as they arise and vanish with the shifting sands.
The sword was handed to the National Treasures Department, and Katzin was given a certificate for good citizenship. The sword will be shown to the public when it has been cleaned and researched at the IAA's laboratories.
