| Avner Raban | |
| Native Name: | אבנר רבן |
| Birth Date: | 15 May 1937 |
| Birth Place: | Ramat David, Israel |
| Death Place: | Oxford, England |
| Nationality: | Israeli |
| Discipline: | Archaeologist |
| Workplaces: | University of Haifa |
Avner Raban (May 15, 1937 – February 11, 2004) was an Israeli maritime archaeologist, who received awards from UNESCO and the Italian government for his unique contribution to underwater research around the world.[1] [2] [3]
Avner Raban was born in 1937 at Kibbutz Ramat David and completed his military service at Shayetet 13, where his intrest in maritime archaeology began. He graduated fine arts studies at the Oranim Academic College. In 1960 along with Dr. Elisha Linder he founded the Underwater Exploration Society of Israel that later joined CMAS led by Jacques Cousteau. He studied Geography and Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and received his B.A. in 1972. From 1974 he taught at the Department of Maritime Civilizations and the Center of Maritime Studies at University of Haifa. In 1981 he received his Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and later became a full professor at the Haifa university.[4]
Avner Raban took part in many maritime expedition along the shores of the Mediterranean sea near Crete and Sicily and Israel, as well as the coast of the Red Sea. Among the more notable expeditions are those that uncovered the "Mercury Wreck" in the Red Sea and that of the Yassi Ada shipwreck, near the shores of Turkey. He led expeditions along the shores of Israel, mainly focused at the ancient harbors of Athlit, Acre and Akhziv. His research and work on the Herodian harbor at Caesarea was the highlight of his career that brought him worldwide aclaim.
Avner Raban lived his entire life in Kibbutz Ramat David, was married to Dina and they have four children.