The 3ft long weapon was found on the Mediterranean seabed in a natural cove near the port city of Haifa, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Despite being encrusted with marine organisms, the hilt and handle were distinctive enough for an 'eagle-eyed' amateur diver to notice, after undercurrents apparently shifted sands that had concealed it for almost a millennia.
The natural cover in which the sword was discovered likely served as a shelter for seafarers passing through, said Kobi Sharvit, from the IAA marine archaeology unit.
'These conditions have attracted merchant ships down the ages, leaving behind rich archaeological finds,' he said.
The sword, believed to be around 900 years old, will be put on display after it has been cleaned and restored to its former glory.
It's time to clean it up and start using it again against the former adversary.
ReplyDeleteAs the Lord intended.
I hope to see the cleaned and restored version. Wonderful find!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this may have been dropped when the parted sea began to unpart.
ReplyDeleteDon't believe that 'departing' was n the Mediterranean Sea.
DeleteThat story was much much earlier, and in the Red Sea, IIRC.
DeleteDitto, can't wait to see it! What a thrill it must have been to first lay eyes on it.
ReplyDeleteThrilling? Biggest of times YES. More than likely though, may be some tie to the origin of the still popular excuse for lost weapons; "lost in a boating accident". May even be among the original 5-10 or so "sea stories".
ReplyDeleteConan would just whack that sucker on a stone a couple of times, and it would be bright and shiny like new!
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice to see it restored to its "smiting" condition, alright.
ReplyDeleteDid the gov't steal it from the finder?
ReplyDelete'Millennia' is plural. Journalist needs to refer to a dictionary more often.
ReplyDeleteGoetz in wet Pine Grove.
Yes that is a find, would like to see it cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteFortunately for PR purposes, the impaled body of the jihadi it was implanted within has rotted away long since.
ReplyDelete