Israeli divers uncover trove of shipwrecked Roman treasure
Israeli archaeologists say two divers have made the country’s biggest discovery of Roman-era artifacts in three decades.
The Roman-era treasures, discovered last month by divers Ran Feinstein and Ofer Raanan, were showcased for the first time Monday.
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) sent down its divers to investigate further and recover the precious Roman-era cargo, which includes bronze statues, lamps, jars, animal-shaped objects, anchors and thousands of coins featuring images of Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius.
See the most-read stories this hour >>
Jacob Sharvit, director of marine archaeology at the IAA, says some of the objects date back to the fourth century, while others are from the first and second century.
Diver Ofer Raanan says “It was amazing, I dive here every other weekend and I never found anything like that ever.”
ALSO
Venezuelans are fed up. Here’s why
An ethnically charged dispute over electricity brings protesters into Kabul’s streets
A ‘global terrorist’ comes in from the cold: Afghan warlord was ally of CIA, then Osama bin Laden
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
