Rare Bronze Age Shipwreck Found in the Mediterranean Sea

LONDON, ENGLAND—Traces of a Bronze Age shipwreck have been discovered under about a mile of water in the Mediterranean Sea some 56 miles off the coast of northern Israel by Energean, an energy company, according to a New York Times report. The ship’s mostly intact cargo of Canaanite amphorae was spotted by cameras mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. After contacting researchers at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), the remotely operated vehicle was outfitted with mechanical appendages to map the site and recover two of the ancient jars, one from each end of the ship. It was determined that the merchant vessel had been between about 39 and 46 feet long, and sank sometime between 1400 and 1300 B.C. Maritime archaeologist Jacob Sharvit of the IAA said that both of the recovered jars were found to now contain silt, however analysis of trace elements in the jars should reveal what they once held. Jars of this type were typically used to store honey, olive oil, and resin from the Pistacia atlantica tree. “The discovery of this boat now changes our entire understanding of ancient mariner navigational skills,” said Sharvit. The other two known Bronze Age shipwrecks that have been found were both discovered close to shore. He thinks these deep-sea sailors would have set their course with celestial navigation. Sharvit and his colleagues plan to preserve the site rather than continue to investigate to allow future researchers with more advanced technology and methodology to excavate at such great depth. To read more about Bronze Age shipwrecks, go to "In the Time of the Copper Kings."