Archaeologists have made several significant underwater discoveries, including a gold ring featuring an image of a young boy with a sheep or ram on his shoulders, which may be one of the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ. The ring was found amongst a trove of ancient Roman coins and other treasures on the seabed off Israel's Mediterranean coast.
The Israel Antiquities Authority led the underwater expedition to explore the wrecks of two ancient ships near the former Port of Cesaria, which had broken open, spilling their contents across the seabed. The treasures uncovered included hundreds of silver and bronze coins, figurines, jewels, bronze bells, and a red gemstone adorned with the image of a liar. The most priceless discovery, the Good Shepherd ring, may have belonged to one of the earliest Christian followers, but doubts have been raised due to the imagery of shepherds not being exclusive to Christianity.
In another discovery, archaeologists excavating an ancient shipwreck off the coast of Tuscany during the 1980s found small tin containers that held well-preserved pills dating back over 2,000 years, providing a glimpse into ancient pharmacology. The pills were composed of natural ingredients such as resins, waxes, animal fats, and starches, along with various inorganic compounds and zinc, which was known to treat skin and eye conditions. The site also yielded other items with medical applications, including 136 wooden vials designed to hold medicine, a mortar, an iron probe, a bloodletting device, and a surgical hook.
In contrast, the discovery of Chinese Thunder crash bombs, also known as Heaven shaking Thunder bombs, represented a significant advancement in early military technology during the Mongol invasions of Japan in the 13th century, leading to the rapid adoption and widespread use of these weapons. This marked a monumental milestone in the history of gunpowder warfare.
