On August 21, 2025, the shimmering waters off Alexandria, Egypt, became the stage for a remarkable archaeological feat. In Abu Qir Bay, a team of Egyptian archaeologists and divers, under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, recovered a trove of ancient relics—some unseen for nearly two millennia—from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea. The operation, meticulously documented by international news organizations such as the Associated Press and Xinhua, marked a rare moment in Egypt’s ongoing quest to reclaim its submerged history.
The excitement on the shore was palpable as cranes and ropes hoisted massive, waterlogged statues from the seabed. Among the most striking finds: a colossal quartzite sphinx bearing the cartouche of King Ramesses II, a broken-necked and broken-kneed granite statue from the late Ptolemaic era, a white marble statue of a Roman nobleman, and a 2.17-meter-long granite figure—headless and legless, but no less imposing.
According to reporting by Xinhua, Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, called the operation “the first of its kind in 25 years.” Khaled explained that the retrieval represents a pivotal step in a national project to develop Abu Qir Bay, a region rich with submerged wonders. “The survey and study of the site have confirmed that it represents a complete Roman-era city, with buildings, temples, water cisterns, and fish farms, as well as an ancient port and docks. This suggests that it is an extension of the western part of the famous city of Canopus, a section of which was previously discovered to the east of the area,” he told Xinhua.
For Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the day’s work was more than just an archaeological milestone. It was a showcase of national pride and scientific rigor. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, was present at the site to witness the recovery and address the gathered media. As reported by the Associated Press, Fathy stood in front of the newly surfaced artifacts, speaking to their significance. He later emphasized, as quoted by dpa and AFP, “There are many artifacts in the water, but there are limited things that can be pulled up. Only certain artifacts can be picked up according to strict standards, and the rest will remain part of the flooded heritage.”
The finds are not just isolated treasures—they are pieces of a much larger puzzle. The underwater site is believed to be part of the ancient cities of Canopus and Heracleion, once bustling centers of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Roman Empire. These cities, long lost to legend and literature, were rediscovered in 1999 by a French excavation team on the seabed where the Nile meets the Mediterranean. Heracleion, in particular, was Egypt’s largest port city until 331 BC, when Alexander the Great founded Alexandria, shifting the region’s commercial and cultural center.
AP’s vivid photo gallery captured the drama and joy of the recovery. Divers celebrated in the water as the artifacts were lifted skyward. Workers untied ropes from the statues, revealing their worn yet majestic forms. Onlookers snapped photos, eager to preserve their own piece of history. The artifacts—ranging from the enigmatic sphinx to the stately Roman nobleman—were displayed on the shore, their surfaces glistening with seawater, as if reluctant to leave their underwater home.
The operation was not just a technical achievement but also a deeply symbolic one. For the first time in nearly a quarter-century, Egypt had managed to recover such significant relics from the sea. The last comparable underwater recovery occurred in 2001, making this year’s event a major leap forward. According to dpa, the granite statue’s dimensions—2.17 meters long—suggest its original grandeur, even as time and tides have claimed its head and legs.
The artifacts themselves span several eras of Egyptian history. The sphinx, carved from quartzite and bearing the mark of Ramesses II (who ruled from 1279-1213 BC), harks back to the New Kingdom, a period of immense power and monumental architecture. The granite statue, believed to date from the late Ptolemaic era (332-30 BC), reflects the blending of Greek and Egyptian artistic traditions. The white marble Roman nobleman, meanwhile, is a testament to Alexandria’s cosmopolitan character during the height of Roman rule.
But why did these cities—and their treasures—end up beneath the waves? Geological shifts and earthquakes are the chief suspects. Over centuries, the land around Abu Qir Bay subsided, dragging buildings, temples, and statues into the sea. As Khaled noted, underwater teams have discovered both fixed and movable structures that were hidden for centuries, likely due to such natural disasters. The submerged city of Canopus, famous in antiquity for its sanctuaries to Osiris and Serapis and its extravagant Roman-era celebrations, has become a symbol of Egypt’s lost grandeur and resilience.
The recovery operation is part of a broader commitment by the Egyptian government to preserve and showcase its archaeological heritage. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has set strict standards for what can be retrieved, balancing the desire to display these wonders with the need to protect the fragile underwater environment. As Minister Fathy explained, many artifacts will remain as part of the “flooded heritage,” accessible only to specialized divers and researchers.
The discoveries have reignited public fascination with Egypt’s ancient past. Crowds gathered along the shore to watch the artifacts emerge, while news outlets around the world shared images of the gleaming relics. For many Egyptians, the event was a reminder of their country’s enduring legacy as a cradle of civilization—and of the mysteries that still lie hidden beneath the sea.
Looking ahead, Khaled confirmed that underwater exploration and excavation will continue at Abu Qir Bay. The hope is to uncover even more secrets from the submerged cities, piecing together the stories of Canopus, Heracleion, and the people who once called them home. Each new find, whether a statue, coin, or fragment of a temple, brings Egypt one step closer to understanding its layered history.
As the sun set over Alexandria, the newly recovered artifacts stood on display, silent witnesses to centuries of change. Their journey from the depths to the light is a testament to human curiosity, perseverance, and the enduring allure of the ancient world.