Crusader-era sword encrusted with shellsYoav Bornstein, University of Haifa
Posted on 03/18/2026 5:08:23 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
ZME Science reports that Shlomi Katzin of the University of Haifa discovered a three-foot-long Crusader-era sword encrusted with shells and sand while swimming in the Mediterranean Sea off Israel’s Dor Beach. The Israel Antiquities Authority soon granted permission to recover the object from the seabed and transfer it to the University of Haifa. A CT scan at a nearby hospital revealed that the sword’s iron blade is severely corroded, yet enough of it survives to indicate that it was likely forged in Europe and belonged to a Frankish knight. “Swords were precious objects, and therefore were carefully cared for and preserved,” said Sára Lantos of the University of Haifa. “In the Middle Ages, the sword became a symbol of the knights and knighthoods, as well as a symbol of the Christian faith,” she added. Katzin discovered a similar sword in the same area while scuba diving in 2021. The discovery of two such artifacts near Dor Beach has led archaeologists to conduct a survey of the sea floor in the area. For more, go to "Reimagining the Crusades."
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeology.org ...
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Crusader-era sword encrusted with shellsYoav Bornstein, University of Haifa
I wish I could find just one of these things.
Yeah, the researcher has found two so far, must be at least close to the record.
For some reason Monty Python and the Holy Grail is coming to mind.
Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Lol!
We need a “like” button!
Help Needed .. https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4371180/posts
Racist!! Colonizer!!! Destroy it!!!
It is difficult for me to imagine how such a piece of ferros metal could survive ~1,500 years in shallow, well oxygenated seawater of moderate temperature.
The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch is probably in a museum over there.
😆
I’m emperor because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me.
1500?
By common core math, yes!
Thanks for pointing it out. Something was telling me to confirm before posting but I didn't listen.
I thought of Conan finding that sword of the dead king in the cave that looked like that, and he slammed it against rocks to clean it off.
Hmmm
Remember
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