For loads more photos, see http://www.becauseoftime.org/ISD/ScenesDakar2.html.
I'm writing from the Tadmor Hotel in Herzylia Piutach, Israel. The Tadmor is located a few blocks from where we lived from '90-'92, when I taught grade 5 at the American International School (AIS) in Israel. It's great to be back.
I was in the water snorkeling at Apollonia shortly after arriving.
Apollonia is a local archaeological site, with an illustrious history, now a national park. Apollonia was a prominent Byzantine port city, and the site of two great battles: the Battle of Arsuf (1091), pitting Richard the Lion-Hearted against Saladin during the 3rd Crusade in 1091; and the Battle of Armageddon (1918), led by British General Allenby against the Turks during WW1.
The sea was, this morning, reasonably clear, with a small swell and surge, certainly not ideal for diving. Being my first time back in 11 years, I'm motivated to get wet. I've brought my diving and underwater video gear, with the intent of filming in the ancient harbor. It took only few minutes to find an ancient stone anchor, essentially a large stone with a hole drilled through it; a wooden mast, or what we referred to as such when it was first identified 18 years ago; two clay amphorae, used to transport wine or olive oil during the Roman/Byzantine Periods; and a load of pot handles, ballast stones, and fragments of cut marble.
The site has not been systematically studied since marine archaeologist Dr. Eva Grossman surveyed the port in the early 90s. I had the good fortune to work with Eva then, acting as photographer and diver. We had lunch with her this afternoon, and had a chance to catch-up news about family, archaeology, and, of course, politics.
The photos above were taken late this afternoon, and show how dense the ceramic shards are along the seaside bluffs. The shards, with their so-called combed decoration, all date to the Byzantine Period.
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