An ancient vessel, discovered nearly forty years ago by two brothers, has been called the ‘Jesus Boat,’ with experts suggesting it offers valuable insights into life during the biblical period.

Many scholars believe that Jesus Christ, a first-century preacher central to Christianity, was born around 6 to 4 BC, according to Live Science. Although the exact dates of his life remain uncertain, it is widely believed that he traveled through Israel, residing in Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem, where he is thought to have been crucified.

The Associates for Biblical Research notes that, according to the gospels, Jesus often ministered around the Sea of Galilee in northwest Israel. This body of water, also known as Lake Tiberias and Lake Kinneret, is a narrow depression and continues to be a popular pilgrimage site.

In 1986, a submerged ancient fishing vessel was found in the waters of the Sea of Galilee. While there is no direct evidence linking this boat to Jesus and his disciples, it is considered a representative example of the type of vessel common during the 1st century. As a result, it has become known as the 'Jesus Boat,' as reported by The Express. The discovery was made by amateur archaeologists Moshe and Yuval Lufan, who recovered the boat during a severe drought.

Twelve days after notifying the Israel Antiquities Authority, archaeologists working around the clock uncovered the 2,000-year-old boat. The Mirror US reported that the 27-foot-long, 7.5-foot-wide vessel’s flat-bottomed design allowed it to navigate shallow waters near the shore for fishing. The boat was recovered from the Sea of Galilee (SS Crew Earth Observations experiment and Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, Johnson Space Center).

According to the outlet, the boat, which is now on display at the Yigal Alon Museum in Kibbutz Ginosar, was constructed from ten different types of wood, including cedar planks. Historians suggest that the types of wood used could offer clues about the biblical era, potentially indicating a shortage of materials that led carpenters and shipbuilders to use available scraps.

Additionally, the boat's construction style matches descriptions in Roman literature, biblical texts, and ancient mosaics, as reported by The Express.

After archaeologists carefully cleaned the boat, it was encased in fiberglass and foam before being moved to the museum. The Yigal Alon Museum now displays the Sea of Galilee boat along with an informative exhibit detailing its historical and cultural significance, as well as the challenging excavation process.

Visitors to the museum can also take a guided tour around Lake Galilee in a modern replica of the type of boat that Jesus may have used during his ministry.