An Israeli scuba diver has salvaged an ancient sword off the country’s Mediterranean coast that experts say dates back to the Crusaders. The amateur diver was about 170 yards (150-meters) off the coast and in 5.5-yard-deep (five-meter-deep) water when he made the discovery. Covered in marine organisms, the sword weighed around 11-13 pounds when it was found. The sword itself likely weighs between 2-4 pounds. It is well preserved and made of iron, according to the Israeli Antiquities Authority.
“We know that usually under the water, the archeological materials survive better than on land,” said Yaakov Sharvit, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority marine archeology unit.
Experts say the area provided shelter for ancient ships and is home to many archaeological treasures, some dating back 4,000 years. But such discoveries can be elusive because of the constantly shifting sands.
“Its size and shape suggest it belonged to a Crusader, as does the fact that it was found just a few kilometers from Atlit castle, a Crusader fortress,” Sharvit added.
The weapon is estimated to be 900 years old. The sword will be cleaned and further analyzed before it’s put on display for the public. The diver, identified as Shlomi Katzin, was given a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.