A Hidden Treasure Under Lake Kinneret?

Year: 1918. Location: Tiberias. Possibility: An urban legend.

The elders of Tiberias have no doubt: someday, someone will become fabulously wealthy, thanks to a legendary cache of Turkish gold resting at the bottom of Lake Kinneret.

The roots of this legend lie in the dramatic events that unfolded around Kinneret in late 1918. The Turkish army was in a frantic retreat from the advancing British forces, led by General Allenby. The British had breached the Turkish lines near Megiddo and in a swift operation took control of the entire Jezreel Valley up to Beit Shean and to Samakh on the southern shore of the Kinneret. At that time, a Turkish steamship named 'Sharia' was docked in Samakh, operating on the Tiberias-Samakh line. The retreating Turks boarded the ship, bringing with them a chest full of gold coins intended for the soldiers' final payment. However, the ship didn't get far. While sailing, the 'Sharia' was attacked by British planes and sank on the spot. The treasure sunk deep into the waters, where it remains to this very day. 

How much of this story is true, and how much is the product of Eastern imagination? "Over the years, many people, both well-known and anonymous, have tried to track down the lost treasure in Kinneret," says Roni Sadeh from 'Yam Yaffo' company. "The problem is, no one knew exactly where the ship was."

A year ago, the company conducted a comprehensive survey of the Kinneret's bottom using advanced imaging techniques. The search revealed wreckage that fits the description of the 'Sharia'. It turns out this was indeed the Turkish ship sunk by airstrikes from British 'Bristol' planes. 

So far, so good, but what about the treasure? Unfortunately, due to the thick mud clouding the waters in the northern part of Kinneret (near the 'Betikha' area), divers couldn't properly explore the shipwreck. The photos are too blurry to determine if there are any gold bars there. Nonetheless, the legend of the Turkish treasure refuses to die and occasionally resurfaces. For instance, a few months ago, there were claims that someone discovered a chest full of Turkish coins near the Arik Bridge.