Friday, April 03, 2009

A HELLENISTIC-ERA PIER IN ACCO:
A Pier from the Hellenistic Period was Discovered in Akko (2/4/09)


Archaeological discoveries shed new light on the question of the location of Akko’s harbor in the Hellenistic period and influence research regarding changes in sea level in antiquity
Remains of a unique and impressive floor were discovered at a depth of one meter underwater in Akko harbor. The remains constitute the first evidence of a low sea level during the Hellenistic period in Akko. The floor remains were discovered during archaeological excavations and inspections that the Israel Antiquities Authority Marine Archaeology Unit is carrying out within the framework of rehabilitating Akko’s southern seawall. The project is being implemented by conservators on behalf of the Old Acre Development Company, Ltd., and is underwritten by the Israel Lands Administration. The scope of the funding that the latter is providing totals several million shekels. As part of the project, a temporary rampart that serves as both a road and dam was built in the sea. The pool of water that formed between the rampart and the seawall was pumped out so as to create dry conditions for rehabilitating the seawall.

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(Temporary IAA press release URL. Via Joseph I. Lauer's list.)