Mediterranean artifacts unveiled in Alexandria exhibition by Egypt
In the heart of Egypt, the ancient city of Alexandria is once again yielding its secrets, this time from the depths of its waters. The Egyptian authorities have announced plans to continue the recovery of ancient treasures submerged near Alexandria's coast.
In the coming days, a collection of ancient statues, including sphinxes and marble figures, as well as artifacts from a sunken city near Abu Qir port, believed to be an extension of the ancient city Canopus, will be recovered and displayed. This extraordinary exhibition, titled "Secrets of the Sunken City," is the first temporary display in Egypt dedicated exclusively to underwater discoveries.
The exhibition, inaugurated by Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy, Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled, and local and international media representatives, features 86 artifacts retrieved from Alexandria's coastal waters. These submerged sites have been the sources of the artifacts in the exhibition.
The European Institute for Underwater Archaeology has been carrying out excavations in Abu Qir Bay since 2000, and the new finds will further expand the collection of underwater finds available to the public. The artifacts from the "Royal Quarters," a significant part of ancient Alexandria now lying beneath the eastern harbor, are particularly noteworthy. They offer insights into the political and cultural heart of ancient Alexandria.
The display also illustrates daily life and religious practices in Mediterranean port cities that were lost to the sea. Among the rare antiquities recovered from the Mediterranean Sea are statues, pottery, and jewelry from ancient civilizations that once thrived along Egypt's coast.
Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has highlighted that this dedicated showcase is a milestone in presenting Egypt's submerged heritage. The exhibition is located at the Alexandria National Museum and will run for six months.
Authorities are set to bring additional submerged artifacts to the surface from Abu Qir Port in the coming days, promising more revelations from the depths of Alexandria's waters. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to witness history as it continues to unfold.
