Divers Discover Trove of Ancient Roman Artifacts Off the Coast of Israel

May 27, 2016 2:30 pm
Roman Shipwreck Artifacts
Jacob Sharvit, director of the Marine Archaeology Unit of Israel's Antiquities Authority, presents to the press artifacts from a merchant ship that sank off the ancient Mediterranean port of Caesarea 1,600 years ago. (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)

Two amateur divers made the discovery of a lifetime off the coast of Israel in the Mediterranean. After tipping off Israel’s Antiquities Authority, Marine Archaeology Unit divers brought a trove of bronze statues and gold coins to the surface, all in extremely good condition. The treasures were part of the payload of a merchant ship that sank off the coast of the ancient port of Caesarea, during the Late Roman period, 1,600 years ago. For more on the discovery, click here. Below, take a look at some of the artifacts. That’s Jacob Sharvit, director of the Marine Archaeology Unit of Israel’s Antiquities Authority, showing off a variety of artifacts.

(Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images) (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images) (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images) (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images) (Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images)

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