Ancient civilizations left behind an abundance of antiquities along the shores of Israel. These remains constitute unique material evidence of the extensive human activity that transpired between the cultures that were located on the coast in recent millennia. These artifacts are part of the country’s maritime cultural heritage and are an important source for completing and deepening our knowledge of its history. In recent generations underwater archaeological remains that were hidden from sight for thousands of years have been revealed as a result of man’s intervention along the coast (constructing harbors and marinas and quarrying sand) and the development of self-contained diving systems. The uncontrolled exposure of the remains and the inevitable destruction means that these assets are in danger of being lost forever.

During fifty years of underwater archaeological research many important remains have been uncovered that reveal the character and make-up of the sites where the finds were discovered. The uniqueness of the finds lies in their excellent state of preservation and their scarcity in the archaeological excavations on land. Every shipwreck preserves within it a kind of “time capsule” of the moment that disaster struck and contains a multitude of evidence relating to the technology of the sailing vessel, the lifestyle of its crew, its cargo and the route that it sailed.

For this series of stamps we chose to present several of the finds that characterize the remains of shipwrecks that were discovered along the coast of Israel and reflect the commercial ties and beliefs of the mariners:

1. The hidden power of the sea led mariners to seek protection and take refuge in their faith. The Greek and Roman sailors used to equip themselves with amulets and figurines and conducted ritual ceremonies while at sea. Three statues of the patron deities of shipping and commerce – the god Serapis, goddess Minerva and the god Mercury – were recovered from a Roman boat that was discovered off the coast of Haifa.

2. The function of the anchor is to stop the boat by means of its weight and the friction it creates against the bottom of the sea, lake or river, and thus it is one of the most important and common items that was used on sailing vessels. Boats carried a large number of anchors since some were lost when docking, and they sank into the depths along with the vessel when it went down in a storm. The variety of types that have been discovered along our coast completes our knowledge concerning the developmental sequence of anchors: the stone anchors of the Bronze Age, wooden and stone anchors or wooden and lead anchors of the Persian, Hellenistic and Early Roman periods, iron anchors of the Roman and Byzantine periods and four-hook grapnel anchors of the Middle Ages.

3. Israel’s location on a major crossroads and its importance to the monotheistic religions turned the country into a theater of war where the great kingdoms battled each other. Naval fleets that landed on the beaches left behind a variety of weapons ranging from bronze axes, swords and daggers to bronze helmets, ceramic grenades known as “Greek fire” and ancient cannons.

4. The ports engaged in extensive import and export activity whereby raw materials, tools, food products and luxury goods passed through them, stored in clay amphorae that were specifically adapted to the type of cargo. Olive oil and wine were exceptionally popular in the countries of the Mediterranean basin and Israel, which was abundantly blessed with them, became one of the most important sources for these products.

The series of stamps was issued at the initiative of Dr. Ehud Galili.

To purchase the series: Israel Philatelic Service