Welcome to the Department of Maritime Civilizations

The Department of Maritime Civilizations is an interdisciplinary pioneer in Israel, integrating underwater archaeology, coastal archaeology, geoarchaeology, and Mediterranean history. Departmental research and instruction focus on maritime human-environment interactions, ancient seafaring, maritime trade and migration, nautical architecture, port infrastructure, and coastal environmental dynamics—including historical sea-level fluctuations. Active research projects investigate submerged Neolithic settlements, Bronze and Iron Age anchorages and cargoes, and ancient ports and shipwrecks spanning the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Early Islamic periods. The curriculum incorporates practical field training in underwater archaeology and confers Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees, offered through both Hebrew and English academic tracks.