Five Decades of Marine Archaeology in Israel

Abstract

The history of maritime archaeology in Israel began in the 1950s. This article summarizes the emergence of the discipline and its evolution, the main institutions involved, the physical conditions and their influence on the nature of ancient maritime activity, the nature of the sites, site formation, post-deposition processes, and the associated methodologies of underwater archaeological research. The typology of sites and significant finds that have been studied are briefly reviewed. These range from submerged Neolithic settlements inundated by the post-glacial rising sea level, harbors, anchorages, shipwrecks, and cargoes up to World War II.

The need for a marine forensic laboratory for India's security and Indian maritime archaeology

“…It provides insightful information about marine civilizations, maritime technology, and human history. It helps safeguard submerged sites from degradation and theft, preserving cultural treasures 1 . It also supports environmental studies to comprehend long-term changes in marine ecosystems and human influences.…”

Finnish Maritime Archaeology through its Publications

“…Early research on St Nikolai, and other sites like it, were important for the development of the wider research community, consisting of researchers, heritage officials, and avocational archaeologists, and therefore pertains to the nature of knowledge production in Finnish maritime archaeology more specifically. Although too often credited as little more than looting, the input of hobby divers has always been central to knowledge production in maritime archaeology around the world, especially during the early decades of the discipline's development (Goggin 1960;Watts and Bright 1973;Flatman 2007;Tuddenham 2012;Galili et al 2018). In Finland, collaboration between avocational divers and heritage officials began on the St Nikolai and continues today in the form of research carried out on other important wrecks (Marila and Ilves 2021, 343).…”

Beach Nourishment Alternatives for Mitigating Erosion of Ancient Coastal Sites on the Mediterranean Coast of Israel

“…As a result, a sand layer about 2 m thick was eroded from the beach and the surf zone in front of the southern part of the Tel. The shoreline had retreated by as much as 25 m [45], and the seaside city wall was badly eroded with its ruins scattered in the shallow water [1,[3][4][5] (Figures 2 and 3). In the present study, the Tel Ashkelon coast is divided into two parts.…”

“…Ancient empires and cultures have left a wealth of remains, including coastal settlements, harbors, and anchorages. Some of the most important ancient sites, which represent the mutual relation between man and the sea, are located on the Mediterranean coast of Israel [3][4][5]. During the 20th century, Israeli ancient coastal sites such as (from south to north) Tel Ashkelon, Yavneh-Yam, Apollonia, Caesarea, Dor, Atlit, and Akko (Acre) (Figure 1: top inset), have been severely eroded, mainly due to modern marine construction, as well as sea level rise, and storm waves [1,4,6,7].…”