Ancient Heraklion, the Lost Underwater City
As a result of a strong earthquake in the first century BC, the small but prosperous city of Heracleion, located at the mouth of the Nile River, went under water. The history of this ancient city is very similar to the legend of the mythical Atlantis.
Heraklion’s good location allowed him to conduct trade with foreign merchants and sailors around the world. Because of this, the city prospered and became rich. The locals were highly educated people with a wide range of interests. Suddenly, a strong earthquake began in an instant destroyed the homes of the Heracleionites and sank the ships standing in the harbor. Local residents were forced to flee quickly.
For two millennia, the ruins of the city were hidden under the water column and a meter of silt three kilometers off the coast of Alexandria in Abukir Bay.
But last summer, French explorer Frank Godiot discovered the remains of the ancient city - a large black granite slab, numerous shipwrecks, coins, shards of dishes, statues and personal belongings.
Modern scientists know little about the life of Heracleion. But the whole ancient world knew about the existence of this rich Greek city.
The myths of ancient Greece often mention Heracleion. According to legend, the city was created in honor of the son of Zeus Hercules, and here hid from the wrath of her husband Menelaus Helena the Beautiful. But so far, no reliable facts supporting this data have been found.
One of the first finds of Frank Godio was the main temple of the city.
Near the dilapidated city walls were found three huge statues carved of pink granite. The Pharaoh and his wife are the gods of Egypt.
Inside the ancient temple was found a tomb of the same material as the statue. Its surface is covered with hieroglyphics. But most of them are obliterated and hard to read.
On a black granite stele about two meters high is carved the decree of Pharaoh Noktanebus I, ruling in 380 BC. Artisans and merchants were required to pay a ten percent tax on their income to build a new temple in honor of the goddess Nate. Exactly such a plate with the same text is already in the Cairo Archaeological Museum. But it was found during the excavations of ancient Nokratzh. Researchers say that for the first time in the history of excavations in Egypt was met with such dubbing.
Despite the long time spent underwater, almost all of Godyo’s finds are in perfect condition. Archaeologists are not going to stop there and promise that there will be more interesting discoveries.