Yigal Allon Museum (Jesus Boat) (Israel)
City:
Ginosar
State, Province, Region, or District:
Northern District
Country:
Israel
Overview
The Yigal Allon Museum in Kibbutz Ginosar is home to the ancient boat commonly known as the “Jesus Boat” (officially known as “The Ancient Galilee Boat”). This boat was discovered in 1986 near Migdal on the northwest shore of the Sea of the Galilee when the water was very low. The boat is so named because it dates to the first century AD, but there is no evidence connecting the boat to Jesus or His disciples. The boat is 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, 4.3 feet high (large enough for 15 people) and was likely used for both fishing and transportation. Typical of ancient boats in the Mediterranean region, it is constructed of multiple kinds of wood, including planks made of cedars from Lebanon and its ribs of natural oak branches.
Alternate Names
"Jesus Boat"; Officially known as “The Ancient Galilee Boat”
Geography & Location
The Yigal Allon Museum is located in Ginosar, Israel.
Biblical, Historical, & Archaeological Background Information
The Sea of Galilee yielded an unexpected catch in 1986 - the hull of a fishing boat old enough to have been on the water in the time of Jesus and his disciples. The remains of the so-called Jesus Boat were found in the muddy lakebed during a time of severe drought.
Architecture
The method of construction identified it as typical of ancient boats in the Mediterranean region. The planks of the hull were edge-joined with mortise-and-tenon joints held in place with wooden pegs. The Jesus Boat had a rounded stern and a fine bow. Both the fore and aft sections were probably decked in, although the preserved remains did not reach this height. Besides cedar planking and oak frames, five other woods were used: Aleppo pine, sidar, hawthorn, willow and redbud.
Biblical & Historical References
Biblical
Spiritual Lessons
See the Spiritual Lessons at the page for the Sea of Galilee.
Site Visit
Exterior of Yigal Allon Museum
Places of Interest
Feeding of the 5,000 location