Israeli IAA Divers Discover Underwater Treasure Trove

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists discovered the largest collection of marine artifacts in and around a sunken merchant ship off the coast of Caesarea National Park.

The find includes thousands of ancient coins, figurines, bronze statues of Roman gods, water pots, and many of the vessel's artifacts.

"These are extremely exciting finds, which apart from their extraordinary beauty, are of historical significance," said director of the IAA's Marine Archaeology Unit Jacob Sharvit and deputy director Dror Planer.

The two archaeologists said the location and distribution of the find indicates the ship was carrying a cargo of metal for recycling when it was hit by a storm near the entrance to the harbor, causing it to smash into the seawall and rocks.

"A marine assemblage such as this has not been found in Israel in the past 30 years. Metal statues are rare archaeological finds because they were always melted down and recycled in antiquity," they explained in the IAA's press release. "When we find bronze artifacts it usually occurs at sea. Because these statues were wrecked together with the ship, they sank in the water and were thus 'saved' from the recycling process."

Some of the coins bear the image of the Roman Emperor Constantine (312-324 AD) and others of the Emperor Licinius, Constantine's rival who ruled the eastern part of the Roman Empire until he was defeated.

The IAA is awarding the divers certificates of appreciation for their extraordinary work and inviting them to visit the storerooms of Israel's national treasuries.

The IAA also thanked the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation for its investment of tens of millions of shekels that makes such work possible.

Michael Kersenti, director general of the Caesarea Development Corporation, said the latest discoveries are more evidence of the ancient port city's unique history and culture. Kersenti said the goal is to present these cultural treasures to the many tourists and visitors who come to Caesarea every year.