In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a team of Egyptian and French archaeologists from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology has unearthed a sunken Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Located off the coast of Egypt in Abu Qir Bay, the temple's find sheds new light on the ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion, which was submerged beneath the waves centuries ago.
The discovery of the temple, dating back to the fifth century B.C., was annonced by Mostafa Waziri, of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, who noted that it contained a treasure trove of artefacts made of bronze and ceramics.
The city of Thonis-Heracleion, once a bustling port and a vital gateway to Egypt for foreign traders prior to the rise of Alexandria, gradually succumbed to a series of natural disasters. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and rising sea levels ultimately led to its submersion, beginning in the second century B.C. This recent discovery of the Aphrodite temple follows another significant find in 2019 when a temple dedicated to the god Amun-Gereb was uncovered, revealing debris from its destruction around 140 B.C.
The archaeological team's work in 2019 uncovered not only remnants of the Amun-Gereb temple but also hundreds of mostly intact ritual artefacts, ceramics, and bronze coins dating back to the reign of Ptolemy II (r. 285–246 B.C.). Additionally, archaeologists stumbled upon Doric columns from a circular Greek temple, highlighting the diverse religious significance of Thonis-Heracleion, with sanctuaries dedicated to figures like Hercules and Osiris.
Franck Goddio of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology emphasised the city's historical importance, stating, "The city was of prime importance to the pharaonic dynasties, which relied on it for taxes and customs duties." Indeed, Thonis-Heracleion served as a thriving economic and religious hub until its watery demise by the eighth century A.D.
The ongoing excavations in this underwater city continue to unveil the secrets of Egypt's maritime past, offering a tantalising glimpse into the lost world of Thonis-Heracleion and its temples, submerged for centuries beneath the waves.
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