Tel Aviv, Israel – A significant archaeological discovery was made off the coast of northern Israel, where a 3,300-year-old ship and its cargo were found by a natural gas company on Thursday. This finding is considered one of the oldest known examples of a ship navigating far from land, changing previous perceptions of ancient seafarers’ navigation abilities. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the late Bronze Age ship was found at a great depth, untouched by external forces over the centuries, allowing for extensive research opportunities.
Head of the IAA marine unit, Jacob Sharvit, emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the discovery, highlighting that it challenges the traditional belief that trade during that era was conducted close to shore. The ship, located 55 miles off Israel’s Mediterranean coast at a depth of 1.1 miles, was identified by Energean, a natural gas company operating in Israeli waters. Energean’s use of a submersible robot enabled the discovery of the 39 to 45-foot-long ship, submerged in the sea floor alongside ancient jugs.
The intact state of the ship and its cargo provided valuable insights into ancient maritime activities, with the IAA identifying the jugs as Canaanite in origin. These Canaanite people inhabited regions around the eastern Mediterranean, suggesting a connection between ancient civilizations in the area. Researchers believe the vessel may have succumbed to a storm or a pirate attack, lending further intrigue to the ship’s history and the events leading to its sinking.
Despite the significance of the find, the ship remains unrecovered at the moment. However, Energean collaborated with the IAA to retrieve two jugs for further study, shedding more light on the ship’s origins and purpose. This discovery challenges conventional wisdom about ancient seafaring capabilities and opens up new possibilities for understanding trade and navigation in the late Bronze Age. The remarkable preservation of the ship and its cargo offers a rare glimpse into the past, providing valuable clues about ancient civilizations and their maritime activities.