In addition to these features, Egypt is also known as an ancient city with a history spanning thousands of years deep under the ocean. That is the city of Thonis-Heracleion, the city is compared to another version of the legendary Atlantis.
Thonis-Heracleion city sunk deep under the ocean
The legendary city of the Egyptians
The city of Thonis-Heracleion, located on present-day Abu Qir Bay, just 15 miles northeast of the Egyptian city of Alexandria, dates back to 2,700 years ago. At that time it was a bustling city with a dotted network of canals. With harbours, wharves, temples linked by ferries and pontoon bridges, this was truly a city with the most maritime traffic in the world at the time.
The location of the lost ancient city
As for the name, the city of Thonis-Heracleion is derived from a compound name of the Egyptians and Greeks. In it, the city owner called this place Thonis and the Greeks used Heracleion to refer to this place.
It is known that in the 5th century BC, the Greek historian Herodotus was the first to mention the appearance of this city. Accordingly, before Alexandria was founded in 331 BC, Heracleion was present and was the place to trade goods from the Mediterranean.
2D reconstruction of the city of Thonis-Heracleion
Mysteriously disappeared overnight
Although it was one of the prominent cities of the ancient civilization, Thonis-Heracleion was only considered a city in legends in the past due to its immaculate disappearance.
Although many people mentioned Heracleion, no one in the 1800s could prove that it ever existed when it appeared in only a few ancient Egyptian and Greek books with traces of this city still a mystery.
The city of Heracleion was once considered a legend
It wasn’t until 2001 that underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio and his expedition accidentally discovered the hidden underwater city beneath the River Nile while traveling to a shipwreck.
In the depths of the ocean, the ruins of Heracleion are gradually revealed with an excellent state of conservation, despite having been buried for 1200 years. In particular, the area of this city alone has been sunk, 64 boats of all kinds have been discovered and 700 anchors have been discovered. This also means that the bustling trade and network of ports mentioned in the ancient texts are completely correct.
In addition to the ships, many gold, copper and stone coins were also found. At the time, this was seen as a medium of exchange. In addition, there are many gigantic god statues and stone steles, or even stone sarcophagi with animal mummies sacrificed to the gods.
Shipwreck in the riverbed
Cause of disappearance
After thorough investigation, experts believe that the disappearance of this city is closely related to natural disasters. Accordingly, a massive earthquake and tsunamis of 100 meters caused them all to sink to the bottom of the sea that could not be found until a thousand years later.
Other artifacts found by the expedition
Source: Egypt Today