2016-05-18 Wed

On 16th May, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced that archaeologists have discovered a wreck of statuary fragments, figurines and coins from the seafloor. It is believed that 1,600 years ago, a ship in Israel's Caesarea Harbor, filled with bronze statues was headed for recycling but sank on its way. The archaeologists got the lead from a pair of divers from the city of Ra'anana, Ran Feinstein and Ofer Ra'anan.

The wreck comprised of late Roman-era artifacts, including a figurine of a moon goddess and a lamp depicting the sun god. Apart from that, two stashes of coins were also discovered. These coins were still clustered in the shape of the vessel that once contained them.

Officials state that, it has been over 30 years since such a marine assemblage has been discovered in Israel. Generally metal statues are melted and recycled, more the reason why, it is very rare to find such artefacts.

The wreckage had mid-300s A.D. coins depicting Constantine, who ruled the Western Roman Empire from A.D. 312-324. Other coins portray the Eastern Roman Emperor Licinius, who was defeated by Constantine in A.D. 324.

The statues found are in an amazingly preserved condition as they were protected by sand. Archaeologists have also found the ship’s iron anchors which indicate that there were attempts made to stop the ship from drifting. A few gold coins were discovered close to the site in 2015 as well.