A stunning archaeological find off the Israeli coast is changing what we know about ancient seafaring.
A 3,300-year-old shipwreck, discovered by chance during natural gas drilling operations, is forcing experts to rethink how advanced Bronze Age sailors really were.
The wreck was found about 55 miles from shore, lying 1.1 miles deep on the seafloor.
Its location far from land suggests that ancient mariners were much better at navigation than we thought.
They could apparently sail long distances without keeping the coast in sight.
Kobi Sharvit from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) explained why this is so important: “This discovery is changing how we view ancient sea trade and navigation. It shows these early sailors could venture far out to sea, navigating without seeing land.”
The ship, which is 39 to 45 feet long, was found in amazing condition.
The World's Oldest Deep-Sea #Shipwreck Found Off Israeli Coast
The world's oldest deep-sea shipwreck has been uncovered. Lying at an astonishing depth of 1.8 kilometers, 90 kilometers (~56 miles) off the northern coast of Israel, this 3,300-year-old vessel's cargo has
1/4 pic.twitter.com/5KUtOGnxux— Israel Daily News Podcast (@IsraelPodcast) June 21, 2024
Being so deep and far from shore protected it from damage by waves, currents, and fishing over thousands of years.
Around the ship, researchers found hundreds of intact jugs.
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These were likely used to carry goods like oil, wine, or fruit.
Experts say the jugs are Canaanite, giving us clues about trade in the eastern Mediterranean during the late Bronze Age.
While the ship is staying put for now, two jugs were brought up for study.
These could reveal a lot about ancient trade routes, how things were made back then, and what life was like for sailors 3,300 years ago.
Why the ship sank is still a mystery.
IAA experts think it either went down in a bad storm or was attacked by pirates. More research at the site might give us answers.
The shipwreck is making researchers rethink what Bronze Age sailors could do and how they influenced cultures around the Mediterranean.
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As studies continue, archaeologists are excited about what else they might learn, potentially changing our understanding of ancient maritime history and how connected the late Bronze Age world really was.
