Photo via Newsweek (Christoph Gerigk c Franck Goddio / Hilti Foundation)

Many people enjoy reading about and listening to myths and legends. Why? Because it mentally transports them into another dimension. They see themselves living in another era, when inhabitants lived, ate, fought, invented, and most importantly, created a legacy that was passed down for centuries and centuries. Our latest update on the legacy front does not involve a document, money, or lifestyle, but an entire city! Last week, Newsweek announced that underwater archaeologists had uncovered new findings in the sunken cities of Heracleion and Canopus. Still confused? Let’s explore this issue a bit further.

In 2000, the European Institute of Maritime Archaeology, led by renowned French/Italian archaeologist, Franck Goddio, discovered the treasures of ancient Egyptian city, Thonis-Heracleion, in the depths of the Abu Qir Bay on the outskirts of modern-day Alexandria. According to Hystoric Mysteries, Thonis-Heracleion was the main port of entry to the Mediterranean Sea between the 8th and the 4th century BCE. Then sadly, sometime in the 8th century CE, the city sank into the sea without a trace. Another principal port and ancient Egyptian coastal town was found, not too far away, known as Canopus. Since then, several national and international explorations have been conducted to further reveal the hidden gems that lie beneath the surface of the water.  

As reported by Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities, Egyptian and European researchers spent two months investigating the remains of Heracleion and Canopus off the coast of the Nile Delta. The marine researchers used a sophisticated scanning device, known as SSPI grouping, to uncover new parts of the ancient settlements, according to Egypt Independent. Examples of the latest discoveries included the remains of a smaller Greek temple, as well as ancient columns, pottery from the third and fourth centuries BCE, and bronze coins from the reign of King Ptolemy II (283 to 246 BCE). The team also found a group of new ports, extending their map of the city.

Moreover, archaeologists increased their map of Canopus by about two-thirds of a mile, when they revealed the remains of several buildings, as well as gold and bronze coins and jewellery, including rings and earrings that they believe date from the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 to 30 BCE) to the time of the Byzantine Empire, which began in 330 CE.

We could go on and on with more historical details, but we don’t want this to seem like a compacted history lesson. You can check the mentioned sources for more facts, and we truly hope this discovery will be the start of more hidden underwater wonders, rising to the surface.