Catch of the day?


Two amateur divers recently discovered Israel’s biggest haul of underwater Roman-era artifacts in a generation, including, at left, figurines of Luna (later identified with the goddess Diana; note the moon tiara) and Dionysus.

The divers discovered the treasures while exploring a sunken ship near an ancient port. As soon as they realized their catch, they alerted the country’s antiquities authority. The trove of priceless  artifacts included bronze statues, lamps, jars, animal-shaped objects, anchors, and thousands of coins featuring images of the Roman emperors Constantine and Licinius. The oldest objects date to the first century CE. —Diane Richard, writer, May 18, 2016 

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Photo: ZUMA Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

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News source: Associated Press, “Underwater treasure trove discovered by amateur divers off Israeli coast,” The Guardian, May 16, 2016