Sharp-eyed diver finds crusader’s ancient sword on Israeli seabed

Meter-long relic, encrusted with marine organisms, is believed to be about 900 years old.

A sword believed to have belonged to a Crusader who sailed to the Holy Land almost a millennium ago — *The sword was found in a natural cove near the port city of Haifa. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters*

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Reuters in Caesarea
Last modified on 2021 Oct 18 –

A sword believed to have belonged to a crusader who sailed to the Holy Land almost a millennium ago has been recovered from the Mediterranean seabed thanks to an eagle-eyed amateur diver, the Israel Antiquities Authority has said.

Though encrusted with marine organisms, the meter-long blade, hilt and handle were distinctive enough to notice after undercurrents apparently shifted sands that had concealed it.

Koby Sharvit of the IAA holds a sword believed to have belonged to a crusader who sailed to the Holy Land almost a millennium ago. — Koby Sharvit holds a sword believed to have belonged to a crusader who sailed to the Holy Land 900 years ago. Photograph: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters
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The location, a natural cove near the port city of Haifa, suggested it had served as a shelter for seafarers, said Koby Sharvit, director of the authority’s marine archaeology unit.

“These conditions have attracted merchant ships down the ages, leaving behind rich archaeological finds,” he said.

The sword, believed to be about 900 years old, will be put on display after it has been cleaned and restored.
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