Egypt reveals traces of a submerged city with over 2,000 years

It presented him, on Thursday (21), traces of a submerged city in front of the coast of Alexandria, which include buildings, tombs, fish tanks and a quay, all with over 2,000 years of seniority. According to the authorities, the site, located in Abu Qir Bay, can correspond to an extension of the ancient city of Canopo, an important center of the Ptolemaic dynasty – which ruled Egypt for almost three centuries – and later of the Roman Empire, which remained there for about 600 years. Over time, a series of earthquakes and the increase in sea level submerged the city and neighboring port of Heracleion. This Thursday, guidants removed several statues. “There are many elements underwater, but what we can recover is limited; they are only selected pieces according to rigorous criteria,” said Tourism and Antiques Minister Sherif Fathi.

“The rest will remain as an integral part of our underwater assets,” he added. The findings include limestone buildings that would have served as places of cult, houses or commercial and handcrafted structures. Rock deposits and tanks were also identified, intended for both aquaculture and water storage for domestic consumption. Among the most notable pieces are real statues and sphinxes prior to the Roman period, including a partially preserved Ramesses II. Also found were a merchant ship, stone anchors and a port crane where a 125 meter pier was used as port for smaller vessels during the Roman and Byzantine times.

Site of great archaeological richness, Alexandria is currently threatened by the same waters that submerged Canopo and Heracleion. The coastal city sinks more than three millimeters per year and is among the areas most vulnerable to climate change and increased sea level. Even in the most optimistic scenario elaborated by the UN, a third of Alexandria will be submerged or uninhabitable in 2050.

*With information from AFP
Posted by Fernando Dias