On August 21, 2025, Egypt’s storied coastline witnessed an event that blended the thrill of discovery with the weight of history. Against the backdrop of Abu Qir Bay in Alexandria, cranes slowly lifted three massive ancient artifacts from the depths of the Mediterranean, marking the country’s first underwater antiquities recovery operation in a quarter of a century. The operation, orchestrated by the Department of Underwater Antiquities and supported by the Armed Forces and Alexandria Governorate, was a spectacle attended by high-ranking officials and watched by an eager public and media.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, this recovery was not just a technical feat but a symbolic moment for Egypt’s cultural heritage. Dr. Mohamed Ismail, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, expressed deep gratitude to those involved, describing the day as a historic archaeological event for Alexandria. The ceremony itself drew notable figures, including Minister Sherif Fathy, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Mahmoud Fawzi, and Alexandria Governor Vice Admiral Ahmed Khaled, all gathered to witness the unveiling of treasures lost to the sea for millennia.
The artifacts hoisted from Abu Qir Bay were more than mere objects—they were fragments of a lost world. As reported by AFP, the site is believed to be an extension of the ancient city of Canopus, a once-prominent center during the Ptolemaic dynasty and later under Roman rule. Over two thousand years ago, Canopus and the nearby port of Heracleion were bustling hubs of commerce and culture. But nature had other plans: a series of devastating earthquakes and the relentless creep of rising sea levels eventually submerged these cities, consigning their riches to the ocean floor.
This week’s recovery brought to light limestone buildings, reservoirs, and rock-carved ponds, believed to have been used for water storage and fish cultivation. Among the most eye-catching finds were statues of royal figures and sphinxes from the pre-Roman era. One partially preserved sphinx bore the cartouche of Ramses II—one of Egypt’s most celebrated and long-reigning pharaohs. Other statues, however, bore the scars of their long underwater exile: a beheaded Ptolemaic figure in granite, the lower half of a Roman nobleman carved from marble, and two headless Ptolemaic-Greek statues, all suggesting the violence of the city’s sudden submersion or the ravages of time.
“There’s a lot underwater, but what we’re able to bring up is limited—it’s only specific material, according to strict criteria,” explained Minister Sherif Fathy, as quoted by multiple outlets. “The rest will remain part of our sunken heritage.” His words underscore Egypt’s careful approach to underwater recovery, a policy shaped in part by the country’s signing of UNESCO’s Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2001. This agreement restricts the removal of submerged artifacts to avoid unnecessary damage, ensuring that what remains beneath the waves is preserved for future generations and ongoing research.
The operation also revealed evidence of daily life in the ancient city. A merchant ship, stone anchors, and a harbor crane—dating from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods—were discovered at the site of a 125-meter dock, which the Ministry said had served as a harbor for small boats until the Byzantine era. While many of these items were left in situ, their presence paints a vivid picture of a once-thriving port city, busy with trade, worship, and industry.
Alexandria itself, Egypt’s second-largest city, is no stranger to the shifting tides of history. The city is home to countless ancient ruins and treasures, many of which have been threatened by the same forces that swallowed Canopus and Heracleion. As reported by The Guardian and AFP, Alexandria is sinking by more than three millimeters each year—a rate that, even under the United Nations’ best-case climate scenario, could leave a third of the city underwater or uninhabitable by 2050. For some, the recovery of these ancient artifacts is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities facing modern Alexandria, as climate change and rising sea levels continue to threaten the city’s heritage and future.
To celebrate these discoveries and share them with the world, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities inaugurated a groundbreaking exhibition at the Alexandria National Museum. Titled "Secrets of the Sunken City Exhibition," the showcase is the first temporary exhibition in the country dedicated exclusively to underwater antiquities. According to Anadolu Agency and local media, the exhibition opened on August 20, 2025, and will run for six months, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the civilizations that once flourished along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy and Governor Ahmed Khaled presided over the opening, which was attended by Egyptian and international media. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, highlighted the exhibition as a milestone in presenting Egypt’s submerged heritage. The display features 86 rare artifacts recovered from Abu Qir Bay and other submerged sites since 2000, many of which were excavated by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology. Among the treasures are pieces from the so-called "Royal Quarters," the political and cultural heart of ancient Alexandria, now lying beneath the city’s eastern harbor.
The exhibition presents a curated selection of statues, pottery, and jewelry, each item reflecting the daily life, religious practices, and artistry of ancient Mediterranean port cities. These objects tell stories not only of grandeur and ceremony but also of everyday existence—of merchants, priests, and families whose lives were shaped by the ebb and flow of the sea.
Looking ahead, Egyptian authorities have announced plans to recover additional submerged artifacts from Abu Qir Port in the coming days, further expanding the collection available to the public. There is even talk of establishing a dedicated exhibition hall or, in a bold vision, an underwater museum—though challenges such as poor visibility remain formidable hurdles.
As officials and archaeologists continue their work, the sense of urgency is palpable. The treasures recovered from Abu Qir Bay are more than relics; they are ambassadors from a lost world, reminders of both the fragility and resilience of human civilization. In a city where the past and future are inextricably linked by water, each artifact brought to light is a testament to Egypt’s enduring commitment to preserving its heritage, come what may.
