The World’s First Underwater Museum

July 25, 2006

“It’s a truly unique site,” said Sarah Arenson, a University of Haifa maritime historian. “This port was built as the state-of-the-art port of the Roman Empire and made the other ports of the time, including those of Rome, Alexandria, and Piraeus, look small and out-of-date by comparison.” The port at Caesarea, the capital of the Roman province of Judea for six centuries, was one of King Herod’s projects, built to honor Caesar Augustus.

Thousands of workers labored for over 12 years to complete the port. The ancient Romans found that if they mixed volcanic powder with lime and rubble, it would harden in water. “This ‘hydraulic concrete’ was imported to Caesarea and used to fill wooden frames, which were then lowered into the water to lay the foundations for the port,” reported maritime historian Dr. Nadav Kashtan.

Two of these frames can be viewed underwater, as well as a lighthouse, piers, pedestals for statues, a shipwreck, anchors, and Roman pottery. One of the four trails is accessible to snorkelers, but the other three require a scuba diving license. The depth varies from 7 to 29 feet (2 to 9 meters).

To view pictures on a fun Web site, go to the Hebrew section of www.caesarea-diving.com. The English site was still under construction at this writing.

Source: Charleeda Sprinkle