A shell-encrusted sword was found this weekend, believed to be close to one thousand years old.

Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) says a man named Shlomi Katzin was scuba diving off the HaCarmel coast, in the Mediterranean Sea, when he made quite the discovery: a large sword, metal anchors, pottery, and more.


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"Every ancient artifact that is found helps us piece together the historical puzzle of the Land of Israel," Israel Antiquities Authority's general director, Eli Escosido, says in a statement.

The 900-year-old sword has a 30 cm hilt, and the sword itself is one metre long.

"The iron sword has been preserved in perfect condition and is a beautiful and rare find. It evidently belonged to a Crusader knight. It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armour, and swords," Nir Distelfeld, Inspector for the IAA's Robbery Prevention Unit says in the IAA statement.

Shlomi KatzinShlomi Katzin poses with the sword for an IAA photo. (Israel Antiquities Authority/Facebook)

IAA's Marine Archaeology Unit Director Kobi Sharvit says it sheds light on the history of the land.

"The archaeological finds at the site show that it served as a small, temporary natural anchorage for ships seeking shelter. Identification of the various finds shows that the anchorage was used as early as the Late Bronze Age, 4,000 years ago. The recent discovery of the sword suggests that the natural cove was also used in the Crusader period, some 900 years ago."

IAA is thanking Katzin for recovering them and reporting them to them, presenting him with a certificate of appreciation. They will be cleaning and displaying the sword.