Management of the underwater and coastal archaelogical heritage in Israel's seas (I)

Abstract

The Maritime cultural heritage of Israel reflects important chapters in the history of humanity, including the Neolithic revolution and the beginning of agriculture, the emergence of the first empires and the foundation of the three monotheistic religions. Erosion due to sea levelrise and human activity is destroying important coastal and underwater archaeological sites. Low levels in the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea exposed many archaeological remains, which are threatened by erosion, treasure hunting and coastal development. Without intensive rescueand protection activities, the valuable cultural maritime heritage will vanish within a few decades. Legal and operational tools are currently applied in order to assure integrated coastal zone management, to control coastal development and to protect the marine culturalresources. Among these are the Antiquities Law, the Planning and Building Law, the Nature and Parks Law and the Law for the Protection of the Coastal Environment. Coastal and underwater sites are mapped and monitored, protected coastal and underwater sites are declared and rescue surveys are carried out in the endangered sites. A national risk assessment document of the coastal and underwaterheritage and detailed preservation and protection plans have been prepared. Pilot projects for protecting and preserving the sea walls of Ashkelon, Apollonia and Akko were completed and several damaged harbors in the Sea of Galilee were reconstructed.