The Yigal Allon Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar on the Sea of Galilee is home to one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in Israel: the Ancient Galilee Boat, a 2,000-year-old fishing boat discovered in the mud of the lake during a drought in 1986. The boat dates to the first century CE, the time of Jesus, and is the only surviving example of the type of vessel used on the Sea of Galilee during the Gospel period.
The Jesus Boat
The boat, now popularly known as the Jesus Boat, is 8.2 meters long and 2.3 meters wide, large enough for a crew of five. It was built using twelve types of wood, suggesting repeated repairs over a long working life. The boat was carefully extracted from the mud in a complex operation and is now displayed in a climate-controlled gallery in the museum.
While there is no evidence linking this specific boat to Jesus, it is exactly the kind of vessel that Peter, Andrew, James, and John would have used for fishing, and that Jesus would have sailed in when he crossed the lake with his disciples.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
The Yigal Allon Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the Gospel period. Hoshen Tours pairs it with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee for the full experience.