In a landmark archaeological achievement, Egypt has successfully recovered three monumental statues from the Mediterranean seabed of Abu Qir Bay, marking the country’s first major underwater recovery operation in 25 years. The extraordinary find includes a massive quartzite sphinx bearing the cartouche of Ramses II, a granite colossus from the late Ptolemaic era, and a pristine white marble statue of a Roman nobleman, offering unprecedented insights into Egypt’s submerged ancient civilizations.
The historic operation was witnessed by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, Alexandria Governor Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, military commanders, and international media, emphasizing the global significance of this underwater archaeological milestone. The artifacts emerge from what experts believe are the remains of an extension of the famous ancient city of Canopus, part of the broader Thonis-Heracleion complex that once dominated Mediterranean trade routes.
- Finding the Lost City of Heracleion: Encountering Myth Under the Sea
- Underwater Military Ship and Burials Found at Thonis-Heracleion
