Sea of Galilee

 Mysterious structure in the Sea of Galilee | Ferrell's Travel Blog 

Mysterious structure in the Sea of Galilee

Posted on April 10, 2013 | 7 CommentsScientists report the discovery of a mysterious structure in the Sea of Galilee on the SW “corner” near the site of Bet Yerah.According to Live Science here, this structure is made of large basalt blocks. These volcanic stones are common in the region.A giant “monumental” stone structure discovered beneath the waters of the Sea of Galilee in Israel has archaeologists puzzled as to its purpose and even how long ago it was built.The mysterious structure is cone shaped, made of “unhewn basalt cobbles and boulders,” and weighs an estimated 60,000 tons the researchers said. That makes it heavier than most modern-day warships.Rising nearly 32 feet (10 meters) high, it has a diameter of about 230 feet (70 meters). To put that in perspective, the outer stone circle of Stonehenge has a diameter just half that with its tallest stones not reaching that height.You will need to check the Live Science report, or the original scholarly article from International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (Vol. 42: Issue 1; March 2013) here or here (pdf). There you will find a map, photos and drawings of the structure.I stopped very near the spot of the structure to make some photos of ripe date palms a few years ago.The Sea of Galilee near Bet Yerah. The view is to the east across this narrow southern end of the lake. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.Whatever this structure and it purpose, it seems to have existed long before any of the biblical activity recorded in the region.