A 900-year-old sword, believed to have belonged to a Crusader knight, has been found by an amateur diver off the coast of northern Israel.
The shell-covered sword, which dates back to the Crusader period, was discovered out from Carmel beach along with other various artifacts.
Shlomi Katzin, the diver who found it, handed the weapon over to the Israel Antiques Authority (IAA) and was awarded a certificate of good citizenship for turning it in.
“The sword was preserved in perfect condition, it is a beautiful and rare find,” Nir Distelfeld, an inspector for the IAA’s Robbery Prevention Unit, said in a statement.
“It was found encrusted with marine organisms, but it’s apparently made of iron. It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armour, and swords.”
It is believed to be a sword of a Crusader knight, who attempted to seize the ‘Holy Lands’ in the 11th and 12th centuries. It was discovered close to the northern port city of Haifa, which the IAA believes would have been a rest spot for travellers.
In Israel, a diver has discovered a sword and other artefacts dating from the Third Crusade (1189-92), the effort by Richard “the Lionheart” and others to recover Jerusalem for Christendom after the shattering defeat by Saladin’s jihad in 1187. https://t.co/i4cLiXpl6m pic.twitter.com/vRd6WFAwgX
— Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) October 19, 2021
Concerned others might’ve found the sword before the IAA had a chance to examine it in place, Katzin took it to the Robbery Prevention Unit which then handed it over to the National Treasures Department.
“Once the sword has been cleaned and researched in the Israel Antiquities Authority’s laboratories, we will ensure it is displayed to the public,” IAA general director Eli Escosido said.
The site where the sword was found was first noticed in June and has since been monitored by the IAA, due to it containing numerous items of archaeological interest.
It’s believed the area was used as early as 4,000 years ago as an anchorage site the IAA said.
Marine finds like these are incredibly rare and special as they’re often hidden by continually shifting sands on the seafloor.
