An Israeli scuba diver, Shlomi Katzin has found an ancient 900 years old sword off the country’s Mediterranean coast. The amateur diver, Shlomi Katzin was exploring shallow waters off the coast of Haifa, Northern Israel, when he came across the sword which is believed to be around 900 years old.
The 3.3 ft Iron blade, aside from being heavily encrusted with marine organisms, is said to be in ‘perfect condition’.
Though encrusted with marine organisms, the metre-long blade, hilt and handle were distinctive enough to notice after undercurrents apparently shifted sands that had concealed it.
However, the sword is thought to have belonged to a Crusader who sailed to the Holy Land almost a millennium ago according to experts who say the sword dates back to the Crusaders.
According to the information, the Crusades began in 1095 and lasted for centuries.
This crusase period saw European Christians traveling to the Middle East to try and seize control of Jerusalem and other parts of the Holy Land from Muslims.
Kobi Sharvit, who leads the IAA’s Marine Archaeology Unit has said the Carmel Coast, where the blade was found, provided shelter for ships during storms throughout the centuries, leaving behind rich archaeological finds.
According to Sharvit, it is likely the sword was a Crusader’s weapon, as it was found, along with pottery fragments and stone/metal anchors, 600 feet from the coast.
900 years ago, muslim forces built fortifications along the coast as defences against arriving Christian forces, destroying coastal cities to ensure it was not possible for them to return and reconquer the Holy Land.
The diver took the sword ashore and delivered it to government experts, the authority said. The weapon is estimated to be 900 years old. #AllAboutCrusaderSword.
A sword believed to have belonged to a crusader who sailed to the Holy Land almost a millennium ago has been recovered from the Mediterranean seabed thanks to an eagle-eyed amateur diver, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday.
Fearing that his discovery might be twisted, Shlomi Katzin headed straight to the government and handed the sword to the National Treasure Department.
The sword, believed to be around 900 years old, will be put on display after it has been cleaned and restored.
Meanwhile, the Israel Antiquities Authority has said the sword is likely to have resurfaced due to a shifting of sand in the waters surrounding the coast.
And the IAA has confirmed once the sword has been cleaned and analysed, that it will be put on display for the public to see.
Nevertheless, Researchers have hypothesised the sword may be linked to a nearby Crusaders’ citadel at Atlit.
The sword itself is incredibly heavy and very large, leading researchers to believe the sword would have belonged to a man who was very strong, in good fitness and perhaps larger than some men of today.
An Isrealite stated:
The sword pulled from the waters off the Israeli coast Is truly a treasure. It’s a three-foot-long crusader’s sword. That makes it about 900 years old!
It was discovered by a scuba diver. So the diver is now rich, right? Nope. In Israel, it’s not finders keepers. The sword has to be turned over to the National Treasure Department, but the diver will get a certificate of appreciation!
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Sources: Science and Technology
