Ancient Sunken City Rises From Alexandria's Waters

 

Egyptian authorities have unveiled remarkable finds from a 2,000-year-old city submerged in the waters of Abu Qir Bay, off the coast of Alexandria. In a dramatic operation, cranes hoisted ancient statues and artefacts from the seabed, revealing parts of what officials believe may be an extension of the ancient city of Canopus, a prominent centre during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.

According to The Guardian, the recovery brought to light numerous treasures that had long been lost to the sea. The underwater ruins include limestone buildings, statues of royal figures, and sphinxes from the pre-Roman era, one of which bears the cartouche of Ramses II, one of Egypt's most famous pharaohs. Divers also uncovered a 125-metre-long dock, a merchant ship, and reservoirs carved into rock, painting a vivid picture of a bustling port city that was swallowed by earthquakes and rising sea levels centuries ago.

While divers cheered as the relics emerged, Egypt’s Tourism and Antiquities Minister, Sherif Fathi, noted the delicate nature of the work. "There's a lot underwater, but what we're able to bring up is limited," he said. "The rest will remain part of our sunken heritage."

The discovery carries a poignant modern warning. The fate of ancient Canopus mirrors the threat now facing Alexandria. The coastal city is sinking by more than 3mm each year due to the climate crisis. According to a UN best-case scenario, a third of this historic metropolis, home to countless other ancient treasures, could be underwater or uninhabitable by 2050.

Photos: The Source, The Guardian