Ancient shipwreck discovered in the Mediterranean – rewriting sailing history

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have announced the discovery of an ancient shipwreck at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. Estimated to have sunk during the 13th or 14th century BCE, the 3,300-year-old vessel is one of the oldest shipwrecks ever found, with intact jars still on-board.

The details of the discovery

The shipwreck was discovered by London-based natural gas production company Energean, during an environmental survey of the seabed. While conducting the survey, the team stumbled across what appeared to be a large cluster of urns, which turned out to be hundreds of well-preserved jugs still on-board the ancient vessel. The discovery is one of the earliest shipwrecks ever discovered in the deep sea of the eastern Mediterranean, offering a unique insight into ancient maritime navigation and how early civilizations traded with one another.

The commercial vessels and what they contained

According to Yaakov Sharvit, the director of the Maritime Archeology Unit at the antiquities authority, the jugs discovered on-board the ship were commercial vessels that would have transported oil, wine, and other agricultural products. The discovery of these jugs provides insight into ancient maritime trade, suggesting that voyages were made from port to port, rather than across open expanses of sea, with those on board still able to see the shore.

The implications for ancient sailing and navigation

This new discovery, however, challenges previous knowledge of how ships traded and sailed in the ancient world. Sharvit believes that the ship could have been wrecked by a storm or an encounter with pirates, but that it was in the deep sea unfettered by lines of sight from the shore. The vessel’s age also indicates that the ancients had impressive navigational abilities that enabled them to cross the Mediterranean Sea without seeing land, suggesting the possibility of longer seafaring journeys than previously thought.

The significance of the discovery

Sharvit referred to the discovery of the ship as a “world-class sensation,” as it provides a unique insight into ancient navigation and trade across the Mediterranean Sea, which was crucial to the growth and development of ancient civilizations. The artifacts discovered are expected to be displayed at the newly built Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem this summer.

Conclusion

The discovery of the ship is a historic and significant event in the study of ancient maritime history and is expected to provide new insights into the trading networks and navigational abilities of ancient civilizations. The discovery of this ancient shipwreck has the potential to rewrite sailing history, providing a fresh look into the past and offering valuable insights for future generations.

Originally Post From https://www.fox17online.com/news/newly-discovered-3-300-year-old-shipwreck-changes-the-understanding-of-sailing-in-ancient-world

Ancient Shipwreck Discovery Rewrites History of Seafaring – FOX 17