The Wreck of a Merchant Ship dating back to the 7th-8th century provides researchers with evidence that trade continued to flourish during a period when commerce was disrupted by religious conflicts.
Archaeologists have discovered the wreck of a merchant ship laden with goods off the coast of Israel. The ship is believed to be 1,200 years old, according to a report by Express on September 23.
The wreck of the ship off the coast of Israel. (Photo: Reuters).
This period coincides with the rise of the Crusades aimed at conquering the Holy Land. Historical records indicate that during the 7th-8th centuries, the Byzantine Empire was increasingly overshadowed by the expansion of Islam, which subsequently spread its influence throughout the region. The religious conflicts of this time caused significant disruptions to trade in the Mediterranean.
Researchers state that this discovery serves as evidence that trade in the region continued to thrive despite religious differences. The merchant ship contained artifacts from various Mediterranean locations, including Cyprus and Egypt, and may also include items from Turkey and North Africa.
Deborah Cvikel, the lead archaeologist, remarked that this is a significant discovery due to the size and age of the ship.
“Historical texts suggest that trade during this period was virtually stagnant, with no international commerce occurring in the Mediterranean. Only small ships operated along the coast to engage in piracy. Yet here we have the remains of a large ship, approximately 25 meters long, along with goods from across the region,” Cvikel stated.
Numerous artifacts buried under layers of sand at the newly excavated shipwreck. (Photo: Reuters).
Divers reported that this is the largest shipwreck they have ever excavated, requiring the removal of more than 1.5 meters of sand to uncover the artifacts. They also discovered over 200 ancient jars containing ingredients used in Mediterranean diets, such as fish sauce, olives, dates, and figs.
In addition to various goods, symbols of the Byzantine Christian church appeared on some artifacts, along with others inscribed with Arabic script.
This is not the only recent discovery of ancient shipwrecks in Israel. In December 2021, hundreds of rare artifacts were excavated from two shipwrecks dating back 1,700 years and 600 years, located off the coast of Caesarea.