Four ancient porcelain fragments were discovered in the Armenian Garden.
A new analysis Ancient Chinese pottery from Jerusalem from the 11th–12th centuries has revealed that some of these vessels may have been used as grenades during the Crusades.
A team of researchers led by Professor Carney Matheson at Griffith University, Australia, analyzing remains from the inner surface of an ancient porcelain piece to find that it probably belonged to a 1,000-year-old grenade. Archaeologists discovered four sharks in the Armenian Garden in Jerusalem. They believe that a shark contained chemical ingredients for an explosive device “analogous to a medieval hand grenade”.
“This research has shown the diverse use of these unique ceramic vessels that contain ancient explosive devices,” said Carney Matheson. “These ships have been reported to produce loud noises and flashes of light in the form of grenades thrown against Crusader strongholds during the time of the Crusades”, the molecular archaeologist said.
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According to the research, the other three vessels probably contained oils, perfumery ingredients and medicines – which coincides with what would be expected from such containers. However, the fourth vessel – a stone vessel with very thick walls and no decorations – contained remains that pointed to the possibility of chemical storage or chemical explosives, the researchers said. The team discovered sulfur, along with mercury and magnesium, at higher levels than in other pots and the surrounding soil.
Archaeologists aren’t ruling out other possible uses for the fourth pot: a fuel source for a lamp or a container for oils. However, he also states that the grenade hypothesis is “worthy of further consideration” as historical accounts of the fighting refer to the use of weapons similar to grenades.
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The team said the latest discovery is another piece of evidence for researchers to understand just how far away war was thousands of years ago. Mr Matheson said further research on these ships and their explosive material is needed to understand the ancient explosive technology of the medieval period and the history of explosive weapons in the eastern Mediterranean.