A significant archaeological discovery has been made off the coast of Alexandria, where a submerged urban center dating back more than two millennia has yielded a trove of artifacts. The site, located in Abu Qir bay, is believed to be a previously unknown extension of the fabled city of Canopus.
This port was a major hub during the Ptolemaic dynasty and continued its prominence under Roman administration. Geological shifts, including seismic activity and encroaching waters, are thought to have caused its eventual disappearance beneath the sea.
In a recent operation, heavy machinery was used to carefully raise a collection of statues from the seabed. The recovered items include royal effigies and sphinxes from the pre-Roman period. Among them is a sphinx fragment bearing the insignia of the pharaoh Ramses II. Many of the sculptures show signs of damage, such as a headless granite figure from the Ptolemaic age and the lower portion of a marble statue depicting a Roman aristocrat.
The underwater ruins also feature structural remains constructed from limestone, which are thought to have been temples, homes, and commercial premises. Excavations revealed an ancient pier measuring 125 meters, alongside the discovery of a sunken trading vessel, stone anchors, and remnants of a harbor crane. Additional finds include man-made reservoirs and carved basins, likely used for freshwater storage and aquaculture.
While these specific artifacts have been brought to the surface, officials have indicated that a vast portion of the sunken city will remain in its aquatic resting place as a protected heritage site.
The recovery operation highlights the fragile relationship between the region’s rich history and its environment. The modern city of Alexandria, which sits atop countless ancient treasures, now faces a similar threat from rising sea levels, with projections indicating significant portions of the metropolis could be submerged within decades.
