Ancient treasures Rise from the Depths of the Mediterranean

Ancient statues, Roman coins adn other artifacts from a sunken city were pulled from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt Thursday. 

The relics date back over 2,000 years. Egyptian authorities said the site, located in the waters of Abu Qir Bay near Alexandria, may be an extension of the ancient city of Canopus, a prominent center during the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years, and the Roman Empire, which governed for around 600 years.

Over time, a series of earthquakes and rising sea levels submerged the city and the nearby port city of Thonis-Heracleion, leaving behind a treasure trove of historical remains.

On Thursday, cranes slowly hoisted statues from the depths, while divers in wetsuits, who had helped retrieve them, cheered from the shore.

“There’s a lot underwater,but what we’re able too bring up is limited,it’s only specific material according to strict criteria,” Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister sherif Fathi said. “The rest will remain part of our sunken heritage.”

Ancient Statues and Shipwrecks unearthed in Egyptian Bay

Divers have discovered a wealth of ancient artifacts in Abu Qir Bay near Alexandria, Egypt, including statues, a merchant ship, and remnants of a Roman-era dock. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the findings on Tuesday, shedding light on the area’s rich history spanning the Ptolemaic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.

Among the most notable discoveries are several statues, many of which are fragmented. These include a granite figure from the Ptolemaic period that is missing its head, and a marble sculpture depicting a Roman nobleman, lacking its lower half.

The underwater excavation also revealed a 125-meter-long dock, along with stone anchors and a harbor crane.The ministry stated that this dock served as a harbor for smaller vessels until the Byzantine era. A merchant ship dating back to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods was also found at the site.

Ancient Roman coins were also recovered from the bay, offering further insight into the region’s past.

Abu Qir Bay first gained archaeological attention in 1859 when Egyptian Prince Oma Touson, along with local fishermen and divers, uncovered evidence of ancient structures.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ancient-statues-shipwrecks-unearthed-egyptian-bay/