Nevé-Yam, LB Copper Ingots (photo: I. Greenberg)
In the Kfar-Samir region south of Haifa, at a distance of 100-150 m offshore, three LB assemblages were investigated by CMS and MAU divers. The northern assemblage consisted of fragments of ox-hide ingots, lead plano-convex ingots, one-holed stone anchors and a bronze figurine of the god Ba’al. Another LB assemblage was found ca. 500 m to the south and included a sickle sword, tin and lead ingots bearing Cypro-Minoan signs, and a group of five one-holed stone anchors, one engraved with a scarab design. The southern cargo was founded ca. 600 m to the south, and included two whole ox-hide ingots, 12 tin ingots, some of them bearing Cypro-Minoan inscriptions, socketed bronze axes and one-holed stone anchors. A fourth LB assemblage was discovered half a kilometer south of Kfar-Galim by a MAU team of divers. Among the finds were fragments of lead ingots, bronze objects (including a horse’s bridle) and two one-holed stone anchors.
South of Mikhmoret anchorage an LB assemblage consisting of three one-holed stone anchors, a sickle sword and a bronze dagger was recovered.
In addition to these assemblages, tens of clusters of one-holed anchors were recorded. Most of the LB anchor clusters were found in unsheltered areas close to the coast at water depths of 2.5-4 m.
Copper Ingots and Stone Anchor after retrieval, Photo: I. Greenberg
Kfar Samir, Various Ingots from the Northern Assemblage
LB Sickle Sword found south off Haifa coast