In an astonishing discovery off the coast of Egypt, a team of underwater archaeologists has stumbled upon a treasure trove worth millions of dollars.
Led by the renowned marine archaeologist Franck Goddio, this remarkable find has revealed secrets hidden beneath the Mediterranean waves.
The expedition centered around the ancient port city of Thonis-Heracleion, where a temple dedicated to the god Amun once stood.
Pharaohs used to visit this temple to receive their titles as universal kings from the supreme god of the Egyptian pantheon.
This temple's ruins have yielded a rich cache of treasures, including silver ritual instruments, golden jewelry, and delicate alabaster containers for perfumes and unguents.
These precious objects paint a vivid picture of the city's wealth and the devotion of its former inhabitants.
In a surprising twist, the team also uncovered underground structures dating back to the 5th century BC.
These structures are supported by remarkably well-preserved wooden posts and beams.
Despite the cataclysmic events that unfolded centuries ago, these wooden relics have survived the test of time.
One exciting revelation was the presence of a Greek sanctuary devoted to Aphrodite, east of the Amun temple.
Among the findings are bronze and ceramic objects, indicating the Greeks' influence in the city during the reign of the Pharaohs of the Saïte dynasty.
Greek mercenaries defending the access to the Kingdom at the mouth of the Nile's Canopic Branch have also left their mark.
The breathtaking discoveries were made possible by cutting-edge geophysical prospecting technologies that can detect hidden objects buried under layers of clay.
These findings provide a glimpse into the past and the coexistence of different cultures in this ancient Egyptian port city.
The city of Thonis-Heracleion, now submerged 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Egypt's present coastline, was once the largest Mediterranean port in Egypt.
It vanished beneath the sea due to rising sea levels, earthquakes, tidal waves, and land liquefaction events.
