Tel Aviv, 21 June 2024 – A 3,300-year-old ship has been discovered off Israel's northern coast, reported The Times of Israel and Voice of America on Thursday (June 20). The vessel, uncovered by a company drilling for natural gas, is believed to be one of the oldest ships in the world, dating back to the Bronze Age.

The ship was found approximately 90 kilometers off Israel's Mediterranean coast, at a depth of 1,800 meters. The vessel's location and depth suggest it has remained undisturbed for millennia, providing a rare and valuable insight into ancient maritime history.

Tel Aviv asserts that this find is one of the most significant maritime archaeological discoveries in recent times. Researchers believe that the ship's age and condition offer unprecedented evidence of ancient marine communication systems, which appear to have been more advanced than previously understood.

The discovery of this Bronze Age vessel underscores the complexity and sophistication of ancient maritime networks. Researchers suggest that such an old ship provides new perspectives on the trade routes, cultural exchanges, and technological capabilities of ancient civilizations.

Efforts are now underway to preserve the ship and study its construction and contents. The wooden vessel, remarkably well-preserved, could hold artifacts and materials that offer further insights into the life and times of the era it hails from.

The discovery of this 3,300-year-old ship off the coast of Israel is a monumental find in the field of archaeology. It not only highlights the advanced state of ancient marine communication systems but also promises to deepen our understanding of the Bronze Age. As researchers continue to study the vessel, it is expected to reveal more about the historical and cultural contexts of its time.