A striking stone structure has been found underwater in the Sea of Galilee, leaving archaeologists puzzled about its purpose and age. Weighing around 60,000 tons, this formation is one of the largest of its kind in the area.
Discovered during a 2003 sonar survey, this cone-shaped feature caught the attention of experts due to its size and shape. Researchers have noted its location near ancient sites, sparking interest in a possible link to early societies in the region.
The structure stands nearly 10 meters (32 feet) high and spans about 70 meters (230 feet) “The boulders show natural faces with no signs of cutting. There’s no evidence of walls or defined arrangements.” Experts classify the formation as a cairn, a pile of stones typically associated with human activity, though there’s no direct evidence confirming that here. Its distinct shape and arrangement suggest it is not a natural geological feature. Research suggests the structure might have been built on ground that later became submerged as the Sea of Galilee expanded. This theory aligns with known environmental shifts over the centuries, indicating a high level of organization in its construction. One researcher noted: “It’s such a massive structure that it’s really something out of the ordinary. It might have served as a ceremonial site or a ramp. We have many ideas, but the truth is we don’t yet know how or why it was built.” Archaeologist Yitzhak Paz suggested that the structure could date back to the third millennium B.C. He has compared it to similar megalithic sites in the region, like Khirbet Beteiha, located about 30 kilometers away, which features concentric stone circles. If the dating is correct, this structure might have once been a vital part of nearby settlements, including Bet Yerah, which was home to thousands of people and had organized defenses and urban planning. However, due to its underwater location, excavation has not yet been performed, leaving many questions unanswered. As Paz pointed out: “If it were on land, we would have studied it by now. But because it’s submerged, research is complex and costly.” In recent years, interest in underwater archaeology has surged, driven by technological advancements in sonar and diving equipment. As the field continues to evolve, places like the Sea of Galilee may hold even more secrets waiting to be uncovered.
