Sunken Monuments

Abu Qir Bay

Abu Qir Bay

A Sunken Treasure of History

Abu Qir Bay is a marine bay located about 22 km east of Alexandria’s territorial borders. This area gained historical significance in 1859 when Prince Omar Touson, with the help of local fishermen and divers, identified the remains of massive ancient structures underwater.

In 1961, Kamel Aboul-Saadat documented numerous archaeological artifacts and shipwrecks in the bay, marking their locations on a preliminary map submitted to the Graeco-Roman Museum. However, no further exploration took place until 1985, when a French team led by lawyer Jacques Dumas attempted to locate the wreckage of Napoleon’s fleet. With Aboul-Saadat’s assistance, they mapped several sunken ships, including:

  • L’Orient (Napoleon’s flagship, which exploded in battle)
  • La Sérieuse and Le Guerrier (two other warships)

The team recovered weapons, ammunition, daily life objects, coins, and navigation tools from the wrecks. Unfortunately, the expedition was halted after Dumas’ sudden death.

Rediscovery in the 1990s

In 1996, the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), led by Franck Goddio, resumed exploration using advanced sonar and magnetic scanning technology. They created detailed maps of:

  • Napoleon’s sunken fleet (6 warships).
  • The lost cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus.

The Sunken Cities

  1. Canopus (East Canopus)
    • Located 2 km north of Abu Qir’s shore, at a depth of 4–5 meters.
    • An ancient religious and trade center linked to Egyptian and Greek gods.
  2. Thonis-Heracleion
    • Discovered 6 km north east of Abu Qir, submerged under 5–7 meters of water.
    • Once a major port city before Alexandria, it vanished due to earthquakes and rising sea levels.

Treasures Found

  • Coins from Mediterranean countries visited by Napoleon’s fleet.
  • Statues, temples, and weapons from Pharaonic, Greek, and Roman eras.

Why Is Abu Qir Bay Important?

  • Napoleonic Wars: The 1798 Battle of the Nile (Abu Qir Bay) was a key naval conflict where Nelson defeated Napoleon’s fleet.
  • Ancient Mysteries: The sunken cities reveal Egypt’s lost connections to Greek and Roman civilizations.

 

 

Location