900-year-old Crusader Sword Found On The Seabed Of Israel

Israel Antiquities Authority Inspector Nir Distelfeld with the recovered Crusader sword. (Source: Anastasia Shapiro/Israel Antiquities Authority)

JAKARTA - Several ancient artifacts, including a 900-year-old Crusader knight sword, have been recovered by Shlomi Katzin, a scuba diver from the City of Athletes in Israel, and his colleagues.

The ancient iron sword had a 1 m (3.3 ft) long blade and a 30 cm (12 in) long hilt.

"The sword, which has been preserved in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find and apparently belongs to a Crusader knight," said Dr. Nir Distelfeld, an inspector with the Robbery Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), citing Sci-News. October 19.

"It was found studded with marine organisms, but appears to be made of iron. It's great to find such a personal object, transporting you 900 years ago to a different era, with knights, armor and swords."

The artifact was discovered on October 16, 2021 on the seabed off Israel's Carmel coast.

"Carmel Beach has many natural bays that provided shelter for ancient ships in storms, and larger coves where all ancient settlements and port cities thrived, such as Dor and Atlit," said Dr. Kobi Sharvit, director of the Marine Archeology Unit at the IAA.

Shlomi Katzin with a 900 year old Crusader sword. (Source: Nir Distelfeld/Israel Antiquities Authority)

"These conditions have attracted merchant ships for centuries, leaving behind rich archaeological finds. The recently discovered sword is just one such discovery," he said.

At the same underwater site, divers found ancient rock anchors, metal anchors and pottery shards.

"The discovery of ancient discoveries by recreational swimmers and divers is a growing phenomenon in recent years, with the increasing popularity of such sports," explains Dr. Sharvit.

'Underwater surveys are dynamic. Even the smallest storm stirs up the sand and reveals areas of the ocean floor, while burying everything else."

"Therefore, it is very important to report such findings and we always try to document them on the spot, to take as much archaeological data as possible," he explained.

He added that archaeological finds at the site suggest the area served as a small temporary natural harbor for ships seeking refuge.

"Identification from various finds indicates that the anchor was used as early as the Late Bronze Age, 4,000 years ago. Recent sword discoveries suggest that natural bays were also used during the Crusader period, about 900 years ago," he concluded.