For the first time ever, the Israel Antiquities Authority is declaring a national park underwater. There are about 50 acres extending off the coast of Caesarea, a tourist and archaeological hot spot where discoveries from King Herod’s reign are still being unearthed.
While local divers have helped uncover lost treasures before, this is the first time that the IAA is officially declaring the underwater space a “national park” meaning there will be more conscious efforts to conserve and preserve the 2000-year old structures.
Director of the IAA’s marine archaeology unit, Kobi Sharvit says “We want to develop diving tourism and tourism in the country. We expect that divers who see something will report it to us. For the most part, a small discovery by divers can lead to a very large and impressive discovery and change our entire understanding of the place.”
