3₪ reconstruction of the vessel
5₪ remains of vessel after removal from mud
The Ancient Galilee Boat, also known as the Jesus Boat, is an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century AD, discovered in 1986 on the north-west shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The remains of the boat, 27 feet (8.2 meters) long, 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) wide and with a maximum preserved height of 4.3 feet (1.3 meters), first appeared during a drought, when the waters of the Sea (actually a great fresh-water lake) receded.
cover depicts Galilee section of map by Christian van Adrichom of locations the 'Tribes of Israel'
The boat's construction conforms to other boats built in that part of the Mediterranean during the period between 100 BC and 200 AD. Constructed primarily of cedar planks joined by pegged mortise and tenon joints and nails, the boat is shallow drafted with a flat bottom, allowing it to get very close to the shore while fishing. However, the boat is composed of ten different wood types, suggesting either a wood shortage or that the boat was made of scrap wood and had undergone extensive and repeated fixes. The boat was row-able, with four staggered rowers, and also had a mast allowing the fishermen to sail the boat.
The Galilee Boat is historically important to Jews as an example of the type of boat used by their ancestors in the 1st century for both fishing and transportation across the lake. Previously only references made by Roman authors, the Bible and mosaics had provided archaeologists insight into the construction of these types of vessels.
The boat is also important to Christians because this was the sort of boat used by Jesus and his disciples, several of whom were fishermen.[4] Boats such as this played a large role in Jesus' life and ministry, and are mentioned 50 times in the Gospels.
Issue Date: 19th March 1999
Designed by: Yitzhak Granot
Printed by: Israel Government Printer
Print Process: lithography
Perforations: 13 x 13
sheet format height 63mm x width 100mm
Note: issued in conjunction with Australia '99 Stamp Exhibition, Melbourne
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