Ship discovery off Israeli coast unlocks secrets of ancient navigation techniques

Ship Found Far Off Israel’s Coast Could Shed Light on Ancient Mariner Abilities

A company drilling for natural gas off the coast of northern Israel recently discovered a 3,300-year-old ship and its cargo, one of the oldest known examples of a ship sailing far from land. The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced the discovery on Thursday, stating that the artifact could provide insight into the navigation abilities of ancient mariners.

Ancient Seafarers Had Advanced Navigation Abilities

The late Bronze Age ship was found at a great depth far out at sea, indicating that ancient seafarers had more advanced navigation abilities than previously thought. This is because they could travel without a line of sight to land. In fact, the IAA said that researchers had assumed until now that ancient trade was conducted only by boats sailing close to the shore, keeping an eye on land while moving from port to port.

Possible Navigation Methods

The newly discovered boat’s sailors probably used the sun and the stars to find their way. Jacob Sharvit, head of the IAA marine unit, said that the ship’s great depth means it has been left undisturbed by waves, currents or fishermen over the millennia, providing greater potential for research.

Details About the Discovery

The wooden ship sank about 90 kilometers off Israel’s Mediterranean coast and was discovered at a depth of 1,800 meters by Energean, a natural gas company which operates a number of deep-sea natural gas fields in Israel’s territorial waters. In its work, Energean uses a submersible robot to scour the sea floor. About a year ago, it came across the 12 to 14 meter-long ship buried under the muddy bottom, nestled under hundreds of jugs that were thousands of years old. The boat and its cargo were fully intact, and the vessel appeared to have sunk either in a storm or after coming under attack by pirates.

Intact Cargo Provides Clues About Ancient Civilization

The ship’s cargo consisted of hundreds of jugs that were identified as Canaanite, a people who resided in the lands abutting the eastern Mediterranean. Two of the jugs were retrieved by Energean and the IAA in order to study them closer. They were likely used for carrying oil, wine or fruit, and are now being inspected more closely as clues to ancient trading routes.

Originally Post From https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/ship-found-off-israels-coast-shed-light-navigation-111267952