In 1986, a dramatic drop in the Sea of Galilee's water level exposed the remains of a wooden boat that may date back to the time of Jesus.

According to Daily Mail, archaeologists have since confirmed that the vessel aligns with boats from the Gospel era, fueling discussions about its possible connection to the biblical story of Jesus walking on water and calming a storm.

The ancient fishing boat was discovered by two amateur archaeologists, brothers Moshe and Yuval Lufan, while scanning the muddy shoreline near Magdala using a metal detector. They initially located iron nails buried in the sediment, which led to the outline of a hull appearing in the mud.

As the team excavated the site, they found the 27-foot-long wooden vessel encased in thick, anaerobic silt. This mud had preserved it for nearly 2,000 years, though the fragile structure began to deteriorate the moment it was exposed to air.

Data from radiocarbon testing dated the boat to the first century—a period matching the time of Jesus. Archaeologists found that the boat was constructed using cedar planks and had been patched with low-cost local woods, consistent with usage by poor fishermen.

Boat’s Construction Reflects Daily Life in the Gospels

Maritime experts identified the vessel as having a flat bottom, suited for shallow, near-shore waters. This design detail, along with the modest repair materials, points to fishermen who would have likely been members of the lower economic class in first-century Judea.

Nearby, archaeologists discovered an oil lamp and a cooking pot within the same sediment layer, suggesting that the boat was inhabited or used during overnight trips. Biblical archaeology expert Danny Herman indicated that this supports similarities to Gospel accounts, where Jesus and his disciples are seen crossing the lake at night.

Herman also highlighted that the boat's size could accommodate around 12 individuals, the same number as Jesus' closest followers. “It’s a 2,000-year-old boat from the Sea of Galilee, the type mentioned in the Gospels,” he said, emphasizing the contextual match rather than claiming definitive proof of its use by Jesus or his disciples.

Miraculous Timing and Precise Location Boost Interest

At the onset of the excavation, rain unexpectedly returned to the arid region, adding urgency to the work. A double rainbow appeared overhead during the dig, prompting some observers to associate the event with moments of divine intervention mentioned in the Bible.

Archaeologist Shelley Wachsmann described the recovery as a race against time. The boat had to be carefully removed before rising waters could reclaim it. The team involved experts from Kibbutz Ginosar, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and a group of volunteers working nonstop for 12 days and nights.

To avoid the vessel crumbling under exposure, the archaeologists encased it in a fiberglass mold supported by insulating foam. The preserved boat was then floated out of the mud and transported to safety.

Preservation Makes Rare Find Available to the Public

A 16-year conservation process stabilized the structure. Experts replaced the mud lodged in the wood with a synthetic chemical that hardened and made the boat safe for long-term display without compromising its original composition.

Since 2000, the now-famed ‘Jesus Boat’ has been exhibited at the Yigal Allon Museum in Ginosar. The display draws crowds of Christian pilgrims and history enthusiasts eager to witness a possible artifact tied to one of Christianity’s most iconic narratives.

While the boat’s direct link to Jesus remains unproven, archaeologist Dr. Kurt Raveh emphasized that it originates from the correct location and time frame. “You can’t ever prove that Jesus was on it or even saw it,” he said, noting that hundreds of similar vessels likely operated on the lake during that period.

Biblical Account and Geography Align Closely

The New Testament describes Jesus walking on water and calming a storm in three separate Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and John. The story begins with Jesus sending his disciples across the Sea of Galilee, where a sudden storm arises.

The disciples reportedly saw a figure walking on the water, which frightened them until Jesus identified himself and calmed their fears. Peter briefly stepped onto the water himself before faltering and being rescued by Jesus.

The boat mentioned in the scriptures landed at Gennesaret—an ancient region identified today as Ginosar, the same area where the ancient vessel was unearthed. Herman noted this geographical coincidence and stated, “They landed at Gennesaret, the ancient name for Ginosar, almost exactly where the boat was found.”