During an underwater excavation in the port of Acre (Akko), conducted in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island, archaeologists discovered a rare ampulla—a small lead bottle from the Crusader period designed in the shape of a shell, according to a study published in the journal Atiqot, and an announcement by the Israel Antiquities Authority. These ampullae were primarily used by Christian pilgrims as souvenirs from their journeys in the Holy Land and as spiritual protection amulets. They contained holy water, oils, or even the blood of martyred saints, and were believed to possess healing powers and spiritual properties.
The discovery's location in Acre is no coincidence, according to the announcement by the Israel Antiquities Authority. Following the Third Crusade, Acre served as the de facto capital of the Crusader Kingdom. The Holy Land's religious significance earned it a special place in the religious world, attracting a steady stream of pilgrims to its ports. Researchers suggest that "the ampulla may have been dropped by one of the faithful, thus finding its way to the seabed."
"The ampulla dates to the late 13th century, just before Acre fell to the Mamluks. This is a period from which we have relatively few archaeological remains," said Jacob Sharvit, director of the Marine Archaeology Unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority. "It was cast using a mold, featuring a shell decoration on one side and a four-petaled leaf on the other—a religious symbol characteristic of the period."
The new research revealed an interesting fact: the special ampulla from Acre is almost identical to one discovered in Salisbury, England—so similar that they were likely cast from the same mold or produced in the same workshop.
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq