A 12th-century Crusader sword has been discovered off the coast of Haifa, Israel, in a chance find by a university student, the University of Haifa announced on Monday, . The discovery offers a rare glimpse into the lives of European knights who participated in the Crusades and the maritime history of the region.
Shlomi Katsin, a student in the university’s Department of Maritime Civilizations, came across the sword while swimming near Dor Beach. He initially observed a group of individuals using metal detectors, and fearing they were engaged in illegal antiquities looting, he intervened to deter them. It was then that he noticed the blade protruding from the seafloor, according to a university statement.
Katsin promptly reported his finding to Professor Debi Tsveikal of the Department of Maritime Civilizations, who in turn contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The IAA granted permission for the sword’s removal from the water to ensure its preservation and prevent further damage.
The three-foot-long sword was initially taken to a conservation laboratory at the university’s Leon Recanati Institute of Maritime Studies. Researchers then transported it to Medica Elisha Hospital in Haifa for a CT scan, a non-invasive technique used to analyze the blade’s condition without causing harm. Photographs released by the university show the sword encrusted with marine life, including seashells and sediment.
The CT scan revealed that the sword was designed for one-handed use and likely belonged to a Crusader warrior originating from Europe. The blade exhibits a fracture, and significant portions of the original iron have been eroded by the effects of time and the sea, the university reported.
Dr. Sarah Lantos, a professor in the Department of Maritime Civilizations, emphasized the rarity of the discovery, stating that it provides “a unique opportunity to learn about the lives” of European knights in the region. Professor Tsveikal added that only a handful of similar swords from the Crusader period have been found in Israel, underscoring the significance of this find for understanding the use of maritime anchorages and the lives of warriors during that era.
The Crusades, a series of religious and military campaigns, took place between and , as documented by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These campaigns were undertaken by Christian knights with the aim of reclaiming territories in the Mediterranean region from Muslim control. Battles were fought across modern-day Israel, Turkey, Syria, and other Middle Eastern countries. The Crusaders established fortified castles to protect their newly acquired territories, and control of these areas shifted between the two sides over the centuries until the end of the Crusades in .
This is not the first Crusader sword Katsin has discovered in the area. In , he found a large sword dating back to the Crusades at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea off the Israeli coast, demonstrating the potential for further discoveries in the region.
The sword’s recovery and analysis highlight the ongoing efforts to preserve and understand the historical artifacts found in the waters off the coast of Israel. The IAA’s involvement and the use of advanced imaging technology, such as the CT scan, demonstrate a commitment to responsible archaeological practices and the pursuit of knowledge about the region’s rich past. The artifact is currently undergoing further study, and researchers hope to glean additional insights into the weaponry, warfare, and daily lives of the Crusaders who once traversed these shores.
