Akko’s 2,300-year-old Harbor

October 9, 2012

The first evidence indicating the possible existence of this quay was in 2009 (see “Fortifying Akko’s Seawall” in our June 2009 Dispatch) when a section of pavement was discovered underwater. Besides the theory that this is a quay, some suggested this was the floor of a large building.

A mooring stone, incorporated into the quay, had a hole in which the mooring line was inserted. According to Kobi Sharvit, director of IAA’s marine unit, “Among the finds we’ve discovered now, are large mooring stones that were incorporated in the quay and were used to secure sailing vessels that anchored in the harbor…In addition, we exposed collapsed large dressed stones that apparently belonged to large buildings or installations, which was spread over a distance of dozens of meters. What emerges…is a clear picture of systematic and deliberate destruction of the port facilities that occurred in antiquity.”

The floor of the ancient quay was built of large dressed stones, some of which have a hole for inserting a wooden pole, probably used for mooring or dragging a sailing vessel. Thousands of fragments of pottery vessels were found, including dozens of intact vessels and metallic objects. Preliminary identification indicates that many of them come from islands in the Aegean Sea, as well as other port cities along the Mediterranean coast.

According to Sharvit, “It should be understood that until these excavations, the location of this important harbor was not clear…Unfortunately, parts of the quay continue beneath the Ottoman city wall—parts that we will probably not be able to excavate in the future.” Nevertheless, in those sections of the harbor that extend in the direction of the sea and the modern harbor, the excavation will continue in an attempt to learn about the extent of the ancient harbor.

Source: Excerpts of an article by Ashernet

Photo Credit: IAA