A scuba diver has discovered an ancient iron Crusader sword on the sea bed off the Carmel coast in Israel.

If there’s proof that you can’t go anywhere in Israel without stumbling on some kind of ancient artifact, it’s got to be the news this morning that a scuba diver has discovered an ancient Crusader sword on the sea bed off the Carmel coast.

Atlit resident, Shlomi Katzin was diving off the coast at the beach in Carmel on Saturday when he spotted ancient artifacts lying on the sea bed, uncovered apparently by shifting sands. 

Katzin saw ancient stone anchors, anchors made of metal pottery fragments, and a sword with a one meter long blade and a hilt measuring 30 centimeters.

He took the sword ashore, fearing that the find might be stolen or buried once more by the sands, and reported it to the Israel Antiquities Authority.

“The sword, which has been preserved in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find and evidently belonged to a Crusader knight,” said Nir Distelfeld, Inspector for the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Robbery Prevention Unit.

“It was found encrusted with marine organisms, but is apparently made of iron. It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords.”