800-Year-Old Crusader Sword Found by Israeli Student in Mediterranean Waters

An 800-year-old sword believed to have belonged to a Crusader knight has been discovered off Israel’s northern Mediterranean coast, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s medieval past.

The one-meter-long weapon was found near Dor Beach by Shlomi Katzin, a Maritime Civilizations student at the University of Haifa, while swimming in the area last year.

“These artifacts are very rare and hard to find, because swords were not usually left behind,” said Dr. Sara Lantos of the university’s Department of Maritime Civilizations. “Swords were very precious, symbolic personal objects of Crusader knights. They were also very expensive.”

Katzin initially noticed divers using metal detectors in the area and, suspecting possible antiquities theft, drove them away. Continuing to scan the seabed, he spotted the sword protruding from the sand.

Recognizing its potential historical significance, he alerted the University of Haifa, which contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority. With special permission, the artifact was carefully removed to prevent further deterioration and transferred to a conservation laboratory.

Over centuries, the sword became encased in thick marine deposits of shells and stone, obscuring its shape and condition. To examine it without causing damage, researchers turned to CT imaging at Haifa’s Medica Elisha Hospital.

“The CT is a non-invasive, non-destructive method to examine the sword,” Lantos explained. “It gives us a chance to look inside and see the shape and design.”

The scans confirmed that the blade dates to the 12th century and was designed for one-handed use typical of European Crusader knights. Researchers determined it was not forged locally but likely brought from Europe by Frankish warriors who established coastal strongholds during the Crusader period.

Imaging also revealed a fracture in the blade, and only a small portion of the original iron survived centuries of exposure to saltwater and shifting sands.

Only a handful of similar swords from the Crusader period have been documented in Israel. According to researchers, the discovery enriches understanding of maritime anchorages along the Levantine coast and the personal belongings of knights who traveled through the region.

“It’s another piece of evidence that enriches our knowledge of the Crusader period and the personal belongings of the knights who came here,” Lantos said.

The University of Haifa hopes to eventually display the sword at the Hecht Museum alongside other Crusader-era finds, offering the public a tangible connection to a pivotal chapter in the region’s medieval history.

The discovery highlights Israel’s rich archaeological landscape, where centuries of history often lie hidden just beneath the surface or, in this case, beneath the sea. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.