Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., November 26, 2008 Cheshvan 28, 5769 | | Israel Time: 12:06 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate GA 2008 Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 00:00 13/07/2008
Israeli lifeguard stumbles upon ancient relic during morning swim
By The Associated Press
Tags: Israel Antiquities Authority 

An Israeli lifeguard taking his regular morning swim off the coast Palmahim beach in southern Israel got more than he bargained for when he
accidentally discovered an ancient talisman against the evil eye, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Sunday.

The object the lifeguard turned over was a 2,500 year old marble disc that was attached to ships to keep evil away, the Israeli archaeology body said.
Advertisement
Experts say the relic, discovered off the coast Palmahim beach where the ancient Yavne-Yam port city once stood, dates back to the 5th or 4th century B.C.E. The white disc, flat on one side and convex on the other, measures 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter. The center of the disc is perforated, and the remains of two circles are painted around the center of it. This object is said to represent the pupil of an eye that adorned the bow of an ancient warship or cargo ship.

Yaakov Sharvit, director of the Marine Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority, said the finding confirms mythological tales about superstitious sailors.

"We know from drawings on pottery vessels that this model was very common on the bows of ships and was used to protect them from the evil eye and envy, and was meant as a navigation aid and to act as a pair of eyes which looked ahead and warned of danger," Sharvit told The Associated Press. "But we thought the eyes were only on fighting ships, not merchants ships. Only four eyes like these have been discovered in the world."

Sharvit praised the lifeguard, David Shalom, for handing the rare relic over to authorities, rather than pocketing it as many others have been suspected of doing. "This was an act of good citizenry," he told AP.
Shalom said he was snorkeling when he caught a glimpse of the disc and dived to get it.

"It captured my curiosity, so I asked someone what it was," he said. "I didn't think it was something so important, but I'm very happy that it is."

The port city of Yavne-Yam was first settled in the Middle Bronze Age and was inhabited until the Middle Ages. The modern city of Yavne is currently located nearby.

Archaeological surveys in the region since the 1980s have turned up other maritime artifacts, such as anchors, weights, fishing equipment, ovens for cooking, storage jars, bowls and cooking pots that date to the Late Bronze Age, Persian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.

Related articles:
  • Dead Sea tablet suggests Jewish resurrection imagery pre-dates Jesus
  • Unique glass mosaic unveiled after restoration in Caesarea
  • Archaeologist: Antiquities Authority destroying Leviticus scroll
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    The 'beauty machine'
    Want to optimize your looks without radically altering them? now you can.
    Lebanon needs unity
    Khamenei to Lebanese President: Iran will always stand beside Lebanon.
      1.   ...cooking pots, envelopes, multiple invoices/receipts.... 23:28  |  Pervert 13/07/08
      2.   The beach itself will be a relic if we don`t stop builders 00:04  |  Alain 14/07/08
      3.   The AA should reward the lifeguard 08:38  |  JewishHeart 14/07/08
      4.   Was it Chinese? 18:29  |  utagawa 14/07/08
      5.   RE: The AA should reward the lifeguard 11:49  |  Reuven 26/11/08
     Read & React
    Documents reveal IDF killed wanted Palestinians against court guidelines
    Responses: 75
    Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama
    Responses: 34
    Settler teens rampage through Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron
    Responses: 52
    Aluf Benn: Obama's challenge will be to persuade Netanyahu to advance peace
    Responses: 14


    More Headlines
    12:02 Court to state: Explain why outpost shouldn't be evacuated
    10:05 Settler teens rampage through Palestinian neighborhood in Hebron
    12:04 IDF killed wanted Palestinians despite court guidelines, documents show
    10:34 Palestinians: Libya sends ship to Gaza in bid to break blockade
    11:27 Ban: Israel, Lebanon must 'seize the moment' and make peace
    12:03 Rights group: Only 6% of abuse claims against IDF lead to charges
    11:46 Fascists in Italy offer couples 1,500 euros for each baby named 'Benito'
    07:39 Israel to expel 2,000 African refugees who fled to Eilat
    09:28 Israel asks Bush to explain its 'special relationship' with U.S. to Obama
    08:44 Israel nabs silver in world chess olympiad, its first ever medal
    07:24 Olmert, in Washington: Israel-PA peace still possible this year
    06:29 Report: Gates to stay on as U.S. defense secretary under Obama
    06:23 Fugitive American convicted of pedophilia arrested in Netanya
    06:26 VIDEO / Olmert may present plan to secure pension savings
    07:45 As Election Day approaches, parties stress economic platforms
    11:37 Brother of death row inmate in Thailand: Israeli police gave him to Thai authorities
    07:38 Missing Ramle woman feared victim of 'honor killings' that took her mother, sister
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Living in Israel Studying in English
    Click & Meet our students from all around the world
    Dan Boutique Jerusalem
    New Dan Hotel in Jerusalem Young, Fun & Distinctively Dan Book Now Online!
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Car rental in Israel
    Shlomo Sixt Receive $15.00 from our low rates.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved