Marble artefacts in shipwreck near Netanya

BY ADAM MOSES

Rare 1,800-year-old marble artefacts on a merchant ship shipwrecked in the coastal waters of Beit Yanai near Netanya have been discovered.

The relics, weighing 44 tons, is the oldest sea cargo from the Eastern Mediterranean. Items include Corinthian capitals, partially carved capitals and marble columns. It is thought the items were destined for a temple or theatre.

Gideon Harris, an experienced swimmer, contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority with the discovery.

Koby Sharvit, Director of underwater archaeology at IAA, was aware of shipwrecked cargo but did not know the exact whereabouts as it was covered by sand.

He observed: “Recent storms must have exposed the cargo, thanks to Gideon’s important report, we have been able to register its location and carry out preliminary archaeological investigations, which will lead to a more in-depth research project.”

From the angle of wreck on the seabed it is believed the ship’s crew encountered a storm in shallow waters and dropped anchor to prevent the ship from grounding.

“Such storms often blow up suddenly along the country’s coast and due to the ships’ limited maneuvering potential, they are often dragged into the shallow waters and shipwrecked,” noted Sharvit. “From the size of the architectural elements, we can calculate the dimensions of the ship. We are talking about a merchant ship that could bear a cargo of at least 200.

“These fine pieces are characteristic of large-scale, majestic public buildings. Even in Roman Caesarea, such architectural elements were made of local stone covered with white plaster to appear like marble. Here we are talking about genuine marble. Since it is probable that this marble cargo came from the Aegean or Black Sea region, in Turkey or Greece, and since it was discovered south of the port of Caesarea, it seems that it was destined for one of the ports along the southern Levantine coast, Ashkelon or Gaza, or possibly even Alexandria in Egypt.”

Sharvit has welcomed Harris’ report. He said: “Land and Sea archaeologists have long argued whether the Roman period imported architectural elements were completely worked in their lands of origin, or whether they were transported in a partially carved form, and were carved and fashioned at their site of destination.

“The find of this cargo resolves the debated issue, as it is evident that the architectural elements left the quarry site as basic raw material or partially worked artifacts and that they were fashioned and finished on the construction site, either by local artists and artisans or by artists who were brought to the site from other countries, similarly to specialist mosaic artists who traveled from site to site following commissioned projects.”

Harris has received a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.

Eli Escusido, IAA Director, noted: “Gideon’s report epitomises the value of a citizen’s awareness regarding antiquities and even more the importance of reporting them to the Israel Antiquities Authority. The cooperation of the community plays an important role in archaeological research. We ask citizens who come across antiquities in the sea to note the exact location and to call us to the site. This provides invaluable information contributing to the history and cultural heritage of the country.”