Beautiful marble columns that mysteriously “appear” at the bottom of the Israeli sea have helped archaeologists locate a long-sought ghost ship.
According to Heritage Daily, a man named Gideon Harris discovered an ornate column exposed off the coast of Moshav Beit Yanai in Central Israel, and immediately notified the Israel Antiquities Authority.
An underwater survey was opened later and determined the “strange object” was a giant Roman marble column, up to 6 m long, elaborately decorated.
The stone pillar is being measured underwater – Photo: ISRAEL ANTIQUES AGENCY
However, it does not represent a lost citadel but something more interesting: A ghost ship that has been “hiding” at the bottom of the sea for 1,800 years.
According to Underwater Archeology Unit Director Koby Sharvit of the Israel Antiquities Authority, they have known about the existence of a shipwreck carrying heavy cargo for a long time, but could not locate it because of the entire ruins. was buried in the sand.
A recent storm accidentally exposed the stone pillar – which was cargo carried on the ghost ship – and thanks to Mr. Gideon’s important report, they finally found it.
The first discovered marble column was likely crafted for an important public building such as a temple or theater.
Preliminary surveys show that the ship may have encountered a storm in shallow water and attempted to anchor, but ultimately sank. Such storms often occur in the area unexpectedly.
Discovery of ghost ships is very valuable. Not only the treasure it carried – artefacts of that level of sophistication, dating back nearly two millennia, were of unparalleled value – but also the history in which the ship sank. holding.
Another detail revealed a part of the carved detail, still exquisite after nearly 2 millennia – Photo: ISRAEL ANTIQUES AGENCY
The ghost ship could have come from the Aegean or Black Sea in Turkey or Greece, possibly arriving at one of the ports along the southern Levantine coast, Ashkelon or Gaza, or even Alexandria in Egypt.
The discovery resolves a long-running debate over whether the Romans had architectural details made entirely in their homeland or whether they were partially imported. , carved or pre-styled from the places they came from.
A detailed study will be launched after the preliminary survey phase.
