New astonishing scientific results from the lost city of Heracleion - Egypt

Photo. Site of Heracles' submerged temple, 5th-3^rd century BC. © Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation Photographer: Christoph Gerigk (www.underwaterdiscovery.org) .

The temple of Heracles was a monument a cult to the supreme pharaohnic deity Amon and to his son Konshu (respectively Zeus and Heracles for the Greeks) in order to maintain the continuity and legitimacy of the Ptolemaic dynasty. The archaeological excavations performed around the temple have enabled to define the topography of the surroundings of the sanctuary.

The work conveyed, particularly on the channel located north of the temple, has brought to light anastonishing quantity of ritual bronze instruments and vases, as well as cult offering objects. Thoseshow that this channel, oriented east to west, was a ritual way of great importance. The magnificence of artefacts discovered indicate that this sanctuary was superbly honoured and maintained by the Ptolemy kings. The city of Heracleion, besides being one of the most prominent religious centers, also used to be a very active trading port as early as the 6th century BC.

One of the most impressive items recovered is a 2nd century AD bust of the Nile river god Hapi with cornucopia, probably once attached to a building. Hapi is most likely a predynastic name for the Nile. Later on the Egyptians called the Nile iterw, meaning 'the river', and Hapi became the name of the god of the Nile. As a water god, Hapi was a deity of fertility: he provided An water, food and the yearly inundation of the Nile. Archaeologist is uncovering a large bronze support for ritual objects.

Franck Goddio founded the Institut Européen Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM) in the late 80's to pursue underwater excavations aiming to recover knowledge that had been lost to the sea. In 1995 IEASM started working in Alexandria and by 1997 in the Bay of Aboukir under the supervision of Franck Goddio and in close operation Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.

With the top modern technology, Franck Goddio was able to create a complete map of ancient Alexandria based on the topographical knowledge gained from the research missions. He also discovered the lost cities of Heracleion and Canopus East. Historic documents offered a first indication of where to search. Then a nuclear magnetic resonance image of the underwater landscape was produced.

The sea floor was systematically scanned with high-tech instruments, and whenever something interesting appeared, we sent a diver to check. Layers of sand, sediments and concretions had made statues, blocks and foundations into formless masses, which had to be cleaned in order to be able to be identified. Only after cleaning, the extend of the historic value of what was found became clear.

Still a mystery

Today we know that the cities gradually submerged during earthquakes (365 and 750 A.D.) and tidal waves. The work with bringing up art and cultural treasures to the surface of the Bay of Aboukir has been going for years. Recovering all items may take an indefinite amount of time. Hopefully we will see many interesting things from the expedition's work that will put new light to a big catastrophe that happened for a long time ago.

Stein Morten Lund, 14 April 2004

Additional information

Franck Goddio is one of the leading pioneers of modern maritime archaeology. His unique systems approach to archaeological underwater excavations and close partnerships with local authorities have led Goddio's research missions to extraordinary findings of unmatched historical value.

In the early 80's Franck Goddio founded the Institut Européen d'Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM), of which he is currently president. Working in partnership with the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt, Franck Goddio has been mapping and investigating the sunken archaeological vestiges in Alexandria's Eastern Harbor since 1992. In 1997, he began to start additional research missions in Aboukir Bay and, in 2000, discovered the ancient cities of Heracleion and Canopus. Archaeological research missions are under works to this date, and will be carried on.

Franck Goddio has also initiated and coordinated a number of shipwreck excavations including seven Chinese junks from the 11th to the 16th centuries, two Spanish galleons and two trading vessels of the British East India Company. Among the most successful excavations are the San Diego (1991) whose discovery is renowned all over the world and the Royal Captain (1999) during whose recovery from great depth off Philippines' coast (-300 m) complex technical problems were overcome. His work provides insight in trading routes and goods, naval architecture and the adventures of historic figures: porcelain from China, militaria, gold and jewels bear witness to those past ventures.

The value of his work has been appreciated by institutions, scientists and the public through many exhibitions, television programs, films and publications.

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The fascination of history - researching the past, making new discoveries and communicating the knowledge gained. These are the common goals shared by Franck Goddio (IEASM) and the Hilti Foundation who makes Franck Goddio's projects possible. In 2003 the University of Oxford, the Hilti Foundation and IEASM founded the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. The Centre will offer scholarships for doctoral thesis on the ongoing archaeological work in Egypt, organize conferences and symposia as well as develop and implement a public strategy.