A University of Haifa student prevented the private appropriation of a 12th-century Crusader-era sword by suspected antiquities thieves, leading to its immediate seizure and control by the Israel Antiquities Authority. The discovery, made off the coast of Dor, an ancient port in northern Israel, highlights the ongoing struggle over the control and ownership of historical artifacts.
Shlomi Katzin, a University of Haifa student specializing in maritime civilizations, was engaged in swimming activities near Dor when he encountered a group of divers. These individuals were equipped with metal detectors, prompting Katzin to suspect them of attempting the private appropriation of historical artifacts. He subsequently drove the suspected antiquities thieves away from the area.
Following the confrontation, Katzin's attention was drawn to an object protruding from the seabed, which he identified as a sword. This artifact, dated to the 12th century, measures over 3.28 feet in length. Despite being heavily encrusted with shells accumulated over centuries, its distinct form as a sword was still recognizable. Sarah Lantus from the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa noted that swords were considered "valuable objects" and were therefore "carefully maintained and preserved," underscoring their material significance.
Upon receiving notification from Prof. Debbie Cvikel, who is also from the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) was contacted. The IAA, acting as the state's custodian of historical resources, promptly granted approval for the sword's removal from its resting place on the seabed. This action immediately transferred control of the valuable artifact from the realm of potential private extraction into the hands of the state apparatus, which then dispatched it to Elisha Medical Center for a comprehensive CT scan.
The State's Claim to History
Prof. Cvikel described the discovery as an "extremely rare find," asserting its importance in "shedding light on the Crusader presence along the country’s coastline." She further emphasized that "only a handful of similar swords from the Crusader period are known in the Land of Israel," and that this particular discovery "greatly contributes to our understanding of the use of maritime anchorages and the lives of warriors during this time." This academic framing serves to legitimize the state's interest and control over such historical assets.
The sword itself is a tangible relic of the Crusades, a historical period defined by imperial expansion and the projection of military power under the guise of religious fervor. This era commenced 911 years ago, following Pope Urban II's call to reclaim the Holy Land. The First Crusade, which culminated in the siege of Jerusalem, occurred 927 years ago, marking a violent phase of territorial conquest and resource control. The weapon thus embodies the material reality of historical conflict driven by ruling class interests.
Sarah Lantus from the University of Haifa elaborated on the multifaceted significance of swords, identifying them as symbols of "knights and chivalry, as well as of the Christian faith." Simultaneously, she highlighted their instrumental role as "one of the most common weapons used by Crusader knights," whose "lives depended on them." This dual function illustrates how ideological constructs like chivalry and faith were intertwined with the brutal material necessities of warfare and imperial domination.
Eyal Berkowitz, an imaging sciences expert at the University of Haifa, detailed the non-invasive methods used for examining the sword. He stated that "Using CT, we were able to see what the human eye cannot — the internal structure of the sword and its precise physical condition — all through a non-invasive examination that preserved the integrity of this rare artifact for future generations." This technological intervention, managed by state-affiliated institutions, ensures the artifact's continued preservation and study under centralized control, rather than allowing for broader, decentralized access or interpretation.
Controlling the Narrative
The discovery was presented by Fox News as the "latest in a string of notable archaeological finds in the region," thereby integrating it into a curated public narrative of historical revelations. This broader context includes the announcement in March of a 2,100-year-old sling bullet bearing a sarcastic message directed at enemy forces, and the revelation last month of a "mysterious Christian artifact" found near the Sea of Galilee, an area associated with Jesus' ministry. Such reports, disseminated through mainstream media, contribute to a specific historical understanding that often prioritizes military and religious narratives, potentially overshadowing the underlying class struggles and material conditions of past societies.