An Israeli scuba diver has discovered an ancient sword believed to have belonged to a medieval Crusader, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday.

The meter-long blade was lying on the Mediterranean seabed off the Carmel Coast in 5-meter-deep (16-foot-deep) water, encrusted with marine organisms.

The man, identified as Shlomi Katzin, was on a weekend dive in northern Israel when he noticed the sword's distinctive hilt and handle after the undercurrent shifted the sand concealing it.

Worried that his discovery might be buried or stolen, he took the sword and gave it to government experts.

"The sword, which has been preserved in perfect condition, is a beautiful and rare find and evidently belonged to a Crusader knight," said Nir Distelfeld, an inspector in the authority's robbery prevention unit.

"It is exciting to encounter such a personal object, taking you 900 years back in time to a different era, with knights, armor and swords," he said.

Home to archaeological treasures

In addition to the near-millennium-old sword, the diver found a trove of ancient artifacts, including anchors and pottery.

The location of the discovery was a natural cove near the port city of Haifa that, experts say, served as a shelter for seafarers. 

"These conditions have attracted merchant ships down the ages, leaving behind rich archaeological finds," said Kobi Sharvit, director of the authority's marine archaeology unit.

The Israel Antiquities Authority said they have monitored the site since June, but "the finds are very elusive since they appear and disappear with the movement of the sands."

The sword will be cleaned, restored and further analyzed before it is put on display.

Katzin, who handed it over to the authorities, received a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.

adi/rt (AP, dpa, Reuters)