12th-century Crusader sword found off northern Israel beach in rare seabed discovery
Ynetnews • • world
Key Points:
- A one-meter-long Crusader-era sword from the 12th century was discovered off Dor Beach near Haifa by a University of Haifa student who intervened to stop potential antiquities looters.
- The sword was removed with special permission from the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwent advanced noninvasive CT scanning at Medica Elisha Hospital to study its internal structure without causing damage.
- CT imaging revealed the sword was a single-handed weapon likely brought from Europe during the Crusader period, with only a small portion of the original iron blade surviving after centuries underwater.
- Researchers emphasized the sword’s significance as a rare and symbolic artifact that enhances understanding of Crusader knights’ material culture and maritime presence along the Israeli coast.
