The Crusades were a series of expeditions by western European Christians who felt pressured to respond to years of Muslim expansion out in the east. For almost two centuries starting in around 1095, the west sent knights—called crusaders—in order to reclaim territories that they thought were rightfully theirs. The grim tales of their exploits have been passed down in the centuries since.
These crusaders often had to reach the east by sea, passing through the Mediterranean on the way to the shores of Israel and nearby territories. In one such case, it appears that one of our crusaders dropped their trusted sword under the waves, sinking below the depths and perhaps thought to never be seen again—that is, until some diver happened to find it by chance some 900 years later. The spectacular find was reported in a video uploaded to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Facebook page last October 18.
Shlomi Katzen, a hobby diver, was diving off the coast of Carmel in western Israel when he noticed a peculiar set of artifacts on the seafloor. There, he found stone and metal anchors, and pottery fragments. But what was perhaps more remarkable was a long piece of what appeared to be metal encrusted with barnacles after staying under the sea for so long. Given the shape, it was apparent to Katzen that he had just found a sword.
Katzin reported what he found to the IAA, who then confirmed that he had found some 900-year-old artifacts—placing his new sword right near the end of the infamous Crusade expeditions. This sword, then, was likely owned by a crusader too.
The sword itself was found to be around a meter (3.3 ft) long, with a 30-cm (1-ft) long hilt. Dr. Nir Distelfeld, inspector from the IAA’s Robbery Prevention Unit, added that the sword was “a beautiful and rare find,” and likely belonged to a crusader.
Said IAA Marine Archaeology Unit director Kobi Sharvit: “The Carmel coast contains many natural coves that provided shelter for ancient ships in a storm, and larger coves around which entire settlements and ancient port cities developed. […] These conditions have attracted merchant ships down the ages, leaving behind rich archaeological finds. The recently recovered sword is just one such find.”
“Even the smallest storm moves the sand and reveals areas on the sea bed, meanwhile burying others. It is therefore vitally important to report any such finds and we always try to document them in situ, in order to retrieve as much archaeological data as possible.”
Distelfeld added: “It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords.”
The IAA noted that the sword would be studied further, and afterwards would be displayed for public viewing. Katzin, on the other hand, was recognized and awarded for his archaeological contribution.
(For more finds in Israel, check out their recent discovery of an ancient quarry underneath the Har Hotzvim technological park.)
References
- Crusades | definition, history, map, significance, & legacy. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 20, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/event/Crusades
- Sci-News. (2021, October 19). Impressive Crusader Sword Found in Israel. Sci-News. http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/crusader-sword-israel-10181.html
- Specktor, B. (2021, October 19). 900-year-old Crusader sword discovered off coast of Israel. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/barnacle-encrusted-crusader-sword-israel
