Ancient Canaanite Shipwreck Uncovered off Israel's Coast with Remarkably Preserved Cargo

Archaeologists and the Energean natural gas surveying vessel made a phenomenal discovery roughly 90 kilometers (56 miles) off Israel's coast—an astonishing 3,300-year-old shipwreck containing hundreds of intact containers. The deep-sea vessel, resting at an astounding depth of 1.8 kilometers, has been found to be filled with a treasure trove of Late Bronze Age amphorae, providing vital insights into ancient maritime trade. This was reported by SSPDaily.

The amphorae found within the shipwreck date back to the 14th century B.C.E. and are associated with thriving port cities along the Levant coast during a time when international maritime commerce was booming. These storage vessels, measuring between 12 to 14 meters in length, reflect the maritime activities that connected the region to distant locations such as Britain.

The ship seemingly met its demise amidst a crisis, with researchers theorizing possible causes such as a powerful storm or a pirate attack—common occurrences during the Late Bronze Age. Director Jacob Sharvit of the Marine Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) highlights the significance of this discovery, particularly in terms of its location, as it is the first and oldest ship to be found in the deep waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, far from any shoreline.

Traditionally, it was believed that trade during this period primarily occurred along visible coastlines, moving from one port to another within eyesight of land. However, the existence of this Canaanite ship, found approximately 90 kilometers offshore, challenges this assumption, shedding new light on the ancient mariners' navigational abilities. This remarkable find has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of ancient seafaring, as the exceptionally deep resting place has ensured the preservation of the ship and its context, untouched by human interference or the usual effects of shallower water shipwrecks.

Dr. Karnit Bahartan, the head of Environment at Energean, explains that the discovery occurred unexpectedly during routine studies, when their advanced submersible robot spotted what appeared to be a collection of jars on the seafloor. Subsequent collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority confirmed the archaeological significance of the find.

The extracted Canaanite containers will be of great importance to further research, and plans are underway to exhibit them at the Archaeological Campus. This exhibition will allow the public to delve into the history of this ancient shipwreck before the anticipated opening of a visitor center dedicated to the site in two years, according to Eli Escusido, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority.