Lifeguard Rescues Ancient Discus

October 26, 2008

While diving at Yavne-Yam near the Palmachim Beach, lifeguard David Shalom made an unusual rescue—a marble discus measuring just 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) in diameter. According to experts at the IAA, “The white discus is flat on one side and convex on the other, in the middle of which are a perforation and the remains of two circles that are painted around the center of it. This object has been identified as representing the pupil of an eye that adorned the bow of an ancient warship or cargo ship. Its Greek name is ophtalmoi, and a lead coupling, or bronze nail, that was driven through the hole in the center of the discus was used to attach the object to the hull of the ship.”

According to Kobi Sharvit, the director of the Marine Unit of the IAA, “We know from drawings on pottery vessels, pithoi [large storage jars] and ancient coins, as well as from historic sources of the fifth century BC, that this model was very common on the bows of ships and was used to protect them from the evil eye and envy, and was meant as a navigation aid and to act as a pair of eyes which looked ahead and warned of danger.”

Although this was a common item on ships of the time, only four such items have been discovered to date, making this a truly unique and historic find.

Photo Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority