The year was 2000, and the ancient city of Heracleion, which had vanished beneath the waves some 1,200 years ago, emerged from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. This once-thriving port town, known as Egypt’s Atlantis, held secrets and treasures that had been lost to the world for centuries. The discovery by divers marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey into the past.
Heracleion, off Egypt’s northern coast, had been lost to the annals of history, mentioned only in scattered ancient texts and relegated to the realm of legend. Yet, the ruins of a great city awaited beneath the waters, hidden by the eons of Nile silt. French scientist Franck Goddio’s groundbreaking rediscovery in the 1990s set the stage for a remarkable archaeological odyssey that has continued to captivate the world.
The ongoing studies of the sprawling underwater ruins have unveiled a series of astonishing finds, each contributing to the intricate puzzle of Heracleion’s past. Archaeologists, armed with high-tech scanning devices, have meticulously explored the sunken city, revealing remnants of its grandeur.
Among the treasures brought to light are the remains of a Greek temple, ancient columns, 2,000-year-old pottery, and bronze coins dating back to the reign of King Ptolemy II. The seabed, once a bustling international trading port, now holds shipwrecks from the 4th Century BC, adorned with jewellery, coins, and crockery—testaments to the city’s prosperity and eventual demise.
An ancient statue pulled from Heracleion as part of the researchCredit: Franck Goddio / Hilti Foundation
The city’s fate unfolded over centuries, a tragic interplay of natural forces. Earthquakes and tsunamis battered the once-majestic port, causing buildings to collapse and saturating the silt beneath its foundations. Rising sea levels completed the city’s submersion until its abandonment in the 8th Century AD.
There are hundreds of artefacts still buried at HeracleionCredit: AP:Associated Press
Heracleion’s mysteries continue to unfold, with underwater archaeologists mapping new sections of the ancient settlements. The team’s 15-year exploration has yielded 64 ships, 700 anchors, towering statues, and the remains of a colossal temple dedicated to the god Amun-Gereb.
As the research progresses, the archaeologists also extend their discoveries to nearby sunken settlements, such as Canopus. The findings, from the intricate layout of buildings to the treasures hidden within, offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian life.
The artifacts, preserved by centuries of Nile silt, tell stories of a bygone era. The underwater city of Heracleion, once lost to the waves, now stands as a testament to the resilience of human history—a captivating journey through time, where the depths of the Mediterranean hold the keys to unlocking the mysteries of Egypt’s Atlantis.