Report on Underwater Excavation at the Phoenician Harbour,Atlit, Israel

Atlit is a small Phoenician settlement on the Carmel coast, with an artificial harbour, built during Iron Age II, before the Assyrian occupation, and used until the end of the Persian era. There are no remains of any later construction, in contrast to other Phoenician ports such as Sidon and Tyre. The study of Atlit harbour has therefore provided invaluable information on the positioning, planning and construction of Phoenician harbours in the Levant. This article is a summary of the most recent underwater excavation seasons at the harbour, and presents our conclusions on construction techniques and their historical implications. © 2009 The Author     

An Altar from the Castle Chapel of Atlit and its Journey to the Church of all Hallows by the Tower,London

An altar currently positioned in the columbarium of the Church of All Hallows by the Tower, London, was thought to have originated from the Templar castle of Atlit. However, lack of relevant documentation resulted in this being regarded as a myth rather than a genuine piece of history. To add confusion, a Maltese Cross, associated with the Hospitaller Order of St John, was carved on the front of the altar's table top—the mensa.

Recently found documents reveal how this limestone altar was brought from the thirteenth-century Templar castle of Atlit and came into the possession of the church.