Ancient Shipwreck Discovery Off Israeli Coast Rewrites Maritime History

A 3,300-year-old shipwreck, found by an energy company off the coast of northern Israel, reveals advanced ancient mariner abilities. The discovery challenges previous assumptions about Bronze Age trade routes, indicating that ancient seafarers ventured far from land using celestial navigation. The ship and its cargo offer significant research potential.

A groundbreaking discovery off the northern coast of Israel reveals the remains of a 3,300-year-old ship, unearthed by a natural gas drilling company. This remarkable find, confirmed by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) on Thursday, sheds new light on ancient navigation abilities and trade routes.

According to the IAA, the late Bronze Age vessel indicates that ancient seafarers were capable of navigating without a line of sight to land, a feat previously deemed unlikely. The ship was found at a depth that has shielded it from disturbances, preserving it and its cargo in remarkable condition.

Jacob Sharvit, head of the IAA marine unit, emphasized the discovery's significance, noting it challenges prior beliefs that Bronze Age trade was conducted solely along coastlines. The ship, believed to have used the sun and stars for navigation, was found 90 kilometers off Israel's coast by Energean, an energy firm using advanced robotic technology.

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