Two ancient treasure ships found in the Mediterranean

The Department of Maritime Archeology of the Israel Antiquities Authority reported the discovery of two shipwrecks off the coast of the ancient city of Caesarea. The ships sank at different times. The first went down about 1700 years ago, during the reign of the Roman Empire, and the second - about 600 years ago, when the local lands were part of the Mamluk Sultanate.

The remains of both ships are scattered across the water area at a depth of only 4 meters. Archaeologists note that the ships were probably anchored near the port and were destroyed by the storm. This is evidenced by the pieces of a broken anchor found nearby, which were probably damaged just before the crash.

Also nearby were dozens of large bronze nails, lead pipes from a bilge pump, and a number of much more valuable items. Among them:

• a large number of silver coins of the Mamluk period (XIV century);
• hundreds of silver and bronze Roman coins of the middle of the 3rd century AD;

• a bronze figurine in the shape of an eagle, symbolizing Roman rule;
• numerous bronze bells, which were probably used to scare away evil spirits;

• figurine of a Roman pantomime in a comic mask;
• ceramic vessels;
• inkwell.

In addition, among the discovered remains were found rare personal belongings of the victims of the shipwreck. Among them was a beautiful red gemstone with a picture of a lyre that can be inserted into the ring setting.

Also found was a thick gold ring with a green gem and the figure of a young shepherd, dressed in a tunic and carrying a ram or sheep on his shoulders. This is how the Good Shepherd was portrayed, which means that its owner was one of the early Christians. And Caesarea, where the ships were discovered, was one of the first Christian communities, celebrate archaeologists.