An eighth-century shipwreck was discovered off Israel’s northern coast.

Though the 50-foot-long boat was discovered almost a decade ago, Haifa University’s Institute for Maritime Studies announced the find Tuesday after completing its research into the vessel.

"We do not have any other historical or archaeological evidence of the economic activity and commerce of this period," said the university’s Ya’acov Kahanov.

"The shipwreck will serve as a source of information about the social and economic activities in this area."

In addition to the wooden hull, many of the boat’s contents were preserved.

Among them are 30 vessels of pottery of different sizes and designs containing fish bones, ropes, mats, a bone needle, a wooden spoon, wood carvings and food remains, mainly carobs and olives.

See link: http://jta.org/page_view_breaking_story.asp?intid=6549