A Crusader sword found at the bottom of the sea after 900 years. An Israeli diver, in the waters off the Carmel coast, found the sword that – it is believed – belonged to a crusader knight. The diver, Shlomi Katzin, handed the artifact to the authorities. The sword, with a hilt of 30 centimeters and a blade of about one meter, was lying on the bottom of the sea, at a depth of 140-150 meters.
“The sword has been preserved in perfect condition, it is a beautiful and rare find, evidently it belonged to a Crusader knight,” commented Nir Distelfeld, inspector of the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israeli Antiquities Authority.
The waters of the Carmel coast are rich in archaeological treasures, thanks to the numerous coves where ships took refuge from the storm since ancient times. The sword will now have to be cleaned of marine concretions and subjected to careful analysis.
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