Archaeologists have discovered an ancient ship with a cargo of raw iron off the coast of Israel

At the bottom of the Dor lagoon off the coast of Carmel in Israel, researchers have discovered the remains of a shipwreck from the late 7th or early 6th century BC, the cargo of which were massive pieces of untreated iron — the so-called critzes. This was reported by Arkeonews magazine on March 31.

Nine dense iron masses weighing from 5 to 10 kg each were found at the crash site in shallow water. Unlike the usual finds of finished weapons or ingots, these objects are spongy lumps of metal obtained at an early stage of smelting. Chemical analysis confirmed that the raw materials were not forged: pores and slag inclusions remained inside, which is typical for an intermediate product of production.

The exact date of the ship's last voyage was determined by radiocarbon dating of a charred oak branch stuck inside one of the iron gates. In combination with the analysis of grape seeds and resin from the found amphorae, scientists have limited the time of the disaster to the period between 639-631 BC. This time coincided with an era of geopolitical instability: the fall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, the rise of Babylon, and the growing influence of Egypt in the Levant.

The discovery proves the existence of a complex decentralized system for the production of weapons and tools. Previously, it was believed that iron was transported only in the form of finished products. The Dora find shows that mining and primary smelting of ore took place in the same region, after which the raw materials were shipped by sea over long distances to urban centers for final processing.

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Scientists suggest that ancient traders intentionally transported krits, as the slag layer surrounding them served as a natural protection against corrosion in an aggressive marine environment. This allowed the cargo to remain underwater for more than 2,600 years.

In addition to the iron, amphorae stylistically associated with Cyprus and the Aegean region were found on board. This indicates a well-developed network of sea routes connecting the Levant, Egypt and Greece. According to archaeologists, the Phoenician merchants who controlled the main trade routes of the Mediterranean played a key role in these processes. This discovery confirms that the military power of ancient states depended not only on access to mines, but also on control over the logistics of raw materials supplies.

On March 19, Arkeonews magazine reported the discovery of a 5.5 thousand-year-old settlement on the Bolivian island of Isla del Sol. According to the researchers, the first inhabitants appeared on Lake Titicaca between 3635 and 3381 BC. It was also clarified that the people who lived in this area had the ability to build boats and cross open water.

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