Archaeologists knew about this ship, but did not know exactly where it sank. Sand has been blasted and recent storms are thought to have exposed it to the earth. Diver Gideon Harris, who discovered the sunken ship a few weeks ago, reported it to the IAA (Israel Antiquities Authority).

44 tons of artifacts

The ancient Roman ship carried 44 tons of marble, including Corinthian columns decorated with floral patterns, capitals (top of columns) and marble pillars nearly 6 meters long. According to the statement, this is the oldest known maritime cargo accident in the Eastern Mediterranean.

By calculating the size of the merchant ship based on the dimensions of the architectural elements, the archaeologists determined that “it may have carried a load of at least 200 tons, the equivalent of about 30 adult male African elephants. After examining the position and angle.” Archaeologists believe that from the tilt of the ship’s remains, “it was caught in a storm in shallow water and anchored in a desperate attempt to avoid being stranded.”

Such storms often break out abruptly off the coast of the country. Due to the limited maneuverability of the ships, they are often dragged into shallow waters and have accidents,
Says Kobi Sharvit, director of underwater archeology at the Israel Antiquities Authority.

He added that the shipment of marble may have come from Turkey or Greece and was headed south, “perhaps to Alexandria in Egypt.”

For years, archaeologists have debated whether the ancient Romans imported fully fabricated architectural elements or only partially finished products. The find concludes the discussion by showing that elements “left from the quarry as basic raw materials or partially processed artifacts” were shaped and completed at the construction site, either by local artists and craftsmen or by artists brought in. from other countries to the site carrying out commissioned projects, such as mosaic experts traveling from place to place.

It is unclear where the marble pillars will be placed, but it is likely that they adorned a “large public building” such as a temple or theatre.