Archaeologists and divers have revealed a remarkable find off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt: a sunken city estimated to be around 2,000 years old. Located in Abu Qir Bay, the underwater site is believed to have been part of the ancient city of Canopus, a prominent center during the Ptolemaic era.
Using cranes and careful retrieval methods, teams lifted headless statues, sphinxes, and priest figures from the shallow waters, offering a tangible connection to Egypt’s rich maritime past.
Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities emphasizes that while a portion of artifacts has been brought to the surface, a significant amount remains submerged, preserving the integrity of the underwater cultural heritage.
This approach follows Egypt’s 2001 commitment to UNESCO’s Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage, ensuring that only selected materials are recovered for study and exhibition.
Artifacts That Tell a Story
The recovered treasures date back to successive periods, beginning with the Ptolemaic era, which spanned nearly 300 years, and continuing into Roman rule, lasting around 600 years.
Among the most notable finds are statues depicting priests, ceremonial figures, and sphinxes, each bearing intricate carvings that reflect the artistic and cultural sophistication of the time.
“These artifacts give us a glimpse into the religious, social, and economic life of the city’s inhabitants,” said Mohamed Ismail, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities. The artifacts reveal the city’s importance as a hub of trade, worship, and cultural exchange in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Preservation and Restoration
Restoration work is currently underway on the newly uncovered artifacts, ensuring that they are preserved for future generations. Each piece undergoes careful cleaning and stabilization, protecting delicate features that have survived underwater for centuries.
Once restored, the artifacts will be featured in the “Secrets of the Sunken City” exhibition at the Alexandria National Museum.
The exhibition, which recently opened, already showcases 86 rare artifacts, allowing visitors to explore life in the Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
The display combines visual appeal with educational insights, highlighting not only the artistic achievements of the era but also the engineering and maritime skills required to build and sustain such coastal cities.
Historical Significance of Canopus
The sunken city sheds light on the broader history of Canopus, a vital trade and religious center in ancient Egypt. Situated strategically along the Mediterranean coast, the city connected Egypt with neighboring civilizations, facilitating commerce and cultural exchange.
Its sudden submersion remains a mystery, but scholars suggest that natural events such as earthquakes or rising sea levels may have contributed to the city’s disappearance beneath the waves.
Discoveries like these are crucial in understanding the daily life, beliefs, and social structures of ancient Egyptian society. They also emphasize the importance of underwater archaeology in preserving historical knowledge that might otherwise be lost to time.
A Window into the Past
The 2,000-year-old sunken city is more than just a collection of artifacts—it is a time capsule offering a direct link to Egypt’s past.
As archaeologists continue their research, each new discovery adds another layer to the story of Canopus, revealing how coastal communities thrived, traded, and worshipped centuries ago.
For history enthusiasts and tourists alike, the sunken city provides a unique opportunity to explore ancient civilization in a way that goes beyond books and textbooks. It serves as a reminder of Egypt’s enduring legacy and the importance of protecting and studying submerged cultural heritage.
