An Israeli diver has found a sword that would have belonged to a crusader some 900 years ago near the port city of Haifa.
Israel – Haifa (20/10/2021 13:15, Gaudium Press) The Israeli Antiquities Authority has confirmed the discovery of a sword dating back approximately 900 years. The discovery took place at sea by diver Shlomi Katzin.
The sword, measuring about 4 ft (ca. 1.30 m), apparently belonged to a crusader. The object is in perfect condition and was covered with corals and shells.
Nir Distelfeld, an official of the Israel Antiquities Authority, expressed his admiration at the find: “It is fascinating to see an object, taking us back 900 years in time, to another era, with knights, armour and swords”. According to the available evidence, the sword belonged to a crusader who besieged the city of Atlit.
Archaeologists highlighted that the excellent state of the object’s conservation, despite its 900 years, was possible because the sword was submerged.
Indeed, thanks to the absence of oxygen, objects underwater are preserved for long periods, namely when buried under the sand.
The discovery took place on a natural bay in the port city of Haifa. The sword will first be cleaned and analyzed. Later, it will go on public display as part of the Israel National Treasures Department Collection. (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
