Fishing Boat from Migdal
In 1985-86, the level of the Sea
of Galilee dropped considerably owing to a drought, and the mud
bottom of the lake off the former shoreline became exposed. At a distance
of 1.5 kms north of the shore of the ancient town of Migdal,
the remains of a wood fishing boat could be seen jutting from the mud.
The boat was in a good state of preservation, since it had been completely
buried in mud. It was 8 meters long. A preliminary examination determined
that its mortise and tenon type construction was in use in the eastern
Mediterranean region from the Second millennium BCE until the end of the Roman period.
Carbon-14 tests, history, some sherds and coins found at the site allow
us to date the boat to the first century BCE and first century CE.
Sources: Israeli Foreign Ministry |