The Egyptian authorities announced today, Tuesday, the discovery of an archaeological treasure represented in a temple to the goddess Aphrodite from the fifth century BC, and a number of archaeological finds belonging to the temple of Amun Grip, during underwater excavations in the sunken city of Thonis Heraklion in Abu Qir Bay in Alexandria.
The treasure was uncovered by the joint Egyptian-French archaeological mission between the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute of Marine Archaeology. Inside the temple, it included archaeological bronze and ceramic vessels imported from Greece, in addition to the remains of buildings supported by wooden beams dating back to the fifth century BC, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
The head of the European Institute of Maritime Archeology, Frank Goddio, said that the mission also found the area where offerings, vows, and precious items were hidden in the Western Temple of Amun, which is a group of gold jewelry that includes earrings in the shape of a lion’s head, a wajit eye, a pendant, and alabaster vessels. It was used to store perfumes and cosmetic ointments, in addition to a set of silver dishes that were used in religious and funerary rituals, a limestone votive handle and a bronze duck-shaped jug.
For his part, the Director General of the Sunken Antiquities Department at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Islam Selim, said in statements to the “Sky News Arabia” website, “The sunken city of Tonis Heraklion dates back to the eighth century BC and is located 7 kilometers from the coast of Abu Qir, and was considered the largest port in Egypt.” The Mediterranean coast before Alexander the Great founded the city of Alexandria in 331 BC.
Saleem revealed more information, saying:
The earthquakes that struck the country in the past caused the city to completely sink under the sea, and it was rediscovered in 2000.
In addition to the Temple of Aphrodite, which was unveiled today, the city includes a temple to Ezbes and a temple to Heracles, which is why the city was given this name.
– Before the coming of Alexander the Great, this region was the link between Europe and Asia, as it was the largest Egyptian port at that time at the end of the Canopus Branch, which was one of the seven branches of the Nile at that time.
The port was located at the meeting point of the Nile Canopus Branch with the Mediterranean Sea. Boats would come from Europe in the Mediterranean and enter the Nile through the Canopus Branch and reach Qeft in Qena. The goods would be transported via animals to boats in the Red Sea to depart to Asia and East Africa.
Due to the importance of the concentration point in Abu Qir Bay, it is an area full of temples and monuments that have not yet been discovered.
Excavations for sunken antiquities in that area began in the year 2000, and every year we discover new treasure because research equipment develops every year and helps us make more discoveries.
In the same area, we have found the wreckage of 73 boats so far. We have also found buildings, temple walls, and port docks. The area has not yet revealed all its secrets and treasures.
2023-09-19 16:27:34
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