This discovery stands as one of the most significant mysteries ever unearthed on the island of Israel.

Under the overcast morning of February 2015, Mr. Zvika Fayer, a skilled scuba diver and master diver, along with his friends, submerged into the waters near the port town of Caesarea, Israel. It was during this dive that they stumbled upon a breathtaking glimmer beneath the sea’s surface – a trove of gold coins.

Prior to the treasure’s discovery beneath the sea, Caesarea experienced the brunt of a winter storm, reshaping the ocean and altering the seabed’s topography. Subsequently, during a scuba diving expedition, Mr. Zvika Fayer and his companions encountered the dazzling gleam of gold coins. Initially dismissing them as potential fakes, the diving enthusiasts decided to take a few coins for closer inspection. To their astonishment, the coins were verified as authentic gold. Reflecting on the discovery, Mr. Zvika Fayer expressed, “I was surprised when I unearthed these gold coins.”

Israel boasts numerous underwater archaeological sites, with the government encouraging amateur divers to explore the secrets of underwater ruins. Among these sites, Caesarea stands out as a favored diving location, particularly for Mr. Zvika Fayer. Having scuba dived here on numerous occasions, he delighted in witnessing large fish, ancient artifacts, pottery, and other discoveries from the ocean floor.

Gold Coins Unearthed from the Depths of the Mediterranean Sea

A remarkable discovery unfolded beneath the sea as Mr. Zvika Fayer and his colleagues collected over 2,000 gold coins during a scuba diving trip near Caesarea, Israel. Unlike most fortunate explorers who might claim such treasures as their own, Mr. Zvika Fayer took a different approach. Swiftly returning to the boat, he contacted the Archaeological Agency for Israel (IAA), urging them to investigate the find. The IAA, after initial reviews, decided to conduct further surveys in the area to uncover more about the origin of this underwater treasure.

Collaborating with the IAA, Mr. Zvika Fayer spent days diving beneath the sea, amassing a collection of more than 2,000 gold coins. These coins, all 24 karats with a purity of up to 95%, lay undisturbed on the Mediterranean Sea floor for approximately 1,000 years. Possessing significant value for both archaeologists and historians, they shed light on a forgotten or poorly understood historical period.

Considered “priceless” by Israeli archaeologists, the gold coins are now state-owned, becoming national property. While the divers credited with the discovery receive acknowledgment, they do not gain any material benefits from this remarkable find.

Robert Kool, an antiquity expert with the Israel Archaeology Authority, confirmed that the ancient coins remained intact due to their preservation in excellent conditions on the seabed of Israel for thousands of years. These coins are believed to have sunk due to shipwrecks near Caesarea, an ancient Roman port in the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite spending more than a millennium underwater, the coins are remarkably clean and well-preserved.

Caesarea: A Historic Hub

Today, the region of Caesarea, situated between Tel Aviv and Haifa on the Mediterranean coast, is renowned for its ancient Roman ruins. Once a bustling port and trading center during the ancient Roman period, Caesarea provides valuable information and evidence about the city’s history during the time of Muslim rule.

The discovery of these gold coins offers insights into Caesarea during the late 11th century. The prosperous and bustling city was part of the Fatimid dynasty of Islam when these coins were minted during the reigns of Caliphs al-Hakim and his son al-Zahir.

Hypothetically, these 2,000 gold coins could have represented the salary of an old army soldier for a month, lost due to a shipwreck accident. Alternatively, they might have fallen off the deck during a storm or been seized by pirates, leading to the sinking of the ship.

Since the discovery, Mr. Zvika Fayer and his colleagues have worked closely with the IAA, expanding the search for other treasures around Caesarea and elsewhere along the Mediterranean coast. Their exploration extends to areas such as the coastal city of Netanya, a route extensively traveled by ancient Phoenician and Roman ships for trade and commerce.

Caesarea, both above and below the sea, continues to unveil its rich history. The first buildings were erected in the 4th century BC to create a bustling trading post. Over time, it became a vital port city named in honor of the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. Under the rule of King Herod the Great, Caesarea flourished, boasting massive constructions, including walls forming a huge seaport and aqueducts serving over 100,000 inhabitants.

In 6 AD, Caesarea became the capital of Rome in the land of Judea and the home of famous Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate. Even after the destruction of Jerusalem during the Jewish rebellion between AD 66-70, Caesarea continued to be the political and economic center of the region.

The exploration of Caesarea remains limitless, with Mr. Zvika Fayer expressing his love for the sea and the ancient culture hidden beneath its surface.