Key facts
- A 2,000-year-old lost Egyptian city, Thonis-Heracleion, submerged in Abu Qir Bay, has yielded significant archaeological finds.
- Discoveries include intricate gold jewelry, rare silver ceremonial vessels, alabaster perfume containers, and a lapis lazuli Djed pillar from the Temple of Amun.
- A previously unknown sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was found with imported Greek ceramics and bronze artifacts.
- Ancient wooden beams and posts dating back to the 5th century BC were found beneath the Temple of Amun.
- Greek weapons were recovered, confirming historical accounts of Greek mercenaries defending Egypt's frontier.
A lost Egyptian city, Thonis-Heracleion, submerged over 2,000 years ago, is yielding spectacular treasures. Archaeologists found gold jewelry, silver ritual objects, and a forgotten Greek temple. Ancient wooden structures also puzzle researchers. These discoveries reveal the city's past wealth and multicultural life. Advanced technology aids the ongoing exploration of this underwater marvel.
Resting nearly 7 kilometers offshore in Abu Qir Bay, the ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion was once Egypt’s busiest gateway to the Mediterranean, predating Alexandria. A series of earthquakes, tidal waves, and rising sea levels caused the city to collapse into the sea.
Underwater archaeologists, led by French explorer Franck Goddio, have unearthed significant finds from the Temple of Amun. Hidden beneath stone blocks and clay, researchers discovered intricate gold jewelry, rare silver ceremonial vessels, alabaster perfume containers, and a lapis lazuli Djed pillar. The temple collapsed in the second century BC, with thick clay preserving the treasures.
Beneath the temple floor, wooden beams and posts dating to the 5th century BC were found, suggesting an earlier settlement. The preservation of this wood for over 2,500 years has amazed researchers.
East of the Temple of Amun, a previously unknown sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite was uncovered, containing imported Greek ceramics, bronze artifacts, and a duck-shaped vessel over 2,300 years old. This highlights Thonis-Heracleion's multicultural nature.
Greek weapons were also recovered, supporting historical accounts of Greek mercenaries defending Egypt’s frontier. Advanced underwater scanning technology facilitated many of these discoveries, with researchers believing vast sections of the city remain unexplored.