Amateur diver uncovers centuries-old sword off Israel’s coast

Mount Carmel, Israel, Oct 19 (EFE).- An ancient sword thought to have been used by a crusader knight centuries ago has been discovered by an amateur diver off the Carmel coast in northern Israel.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) said on a Facebook post on Monday that the diver, identified as Shlomi Katzin, stumbled upon the 900-year-old sword while diving on the weekend

The artifact, found heavily covered with marine organisms, has a one-meter-long blade and 30-centimeter-long handle.

“The sword, which was kept in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find, and it seems to belong to a crusader knight,” Nir Distalfeld, an IAA supervisor, said.

“It’s exciting to come across such a personal object, that takes you in your imagination 900 years back in time, to another era, of knights, armors and swords, ” he added.

Kobi Sharvit, chief of the IAA’s marine archaeology unit, said the Carmel beach used to serve as a shelter for ships during storms back in the Middle Ages.

“These conditions have attracted merchant ships over the centuries, leaving behind rich archaeological finds,” he explained.

In addition to the sword that will be cleaned and examined before putting it on display, Katzin also found other artifacts, including metal anchors and ceramic fragments.EFE

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