Sunken Temple and Sanctuary From Ancient Egypt Is Filled With Treasures

A team of underwater archaeologists headed by Franck Goddio has made an astounding discovery - a submerged Egyptian temple and Greek sanctuary filled with ancient treasures. These structures were part of the ancient Egyptian city of Thonis-Heracleion, once Egypt's largest port along the Mediterranean Sea. Tragically, a major earthquake and tidal waves led to the entire city sinking in the 8th century AD. This coastal city remained concealed underwater approximately 4.3 miles from Egypt's modern-day coast until its discovery in 2000. Since then, Goddio and his team have retrieved many precious artifacts from its ruins, with the latest discovery being revealed on September 20, 2023. The recently found temple was dedicated to the Egyptian god Amun. Additionally, archaeologists extracted silver ritual instruments, gold jewelry, and giant containers for holding perfumes from this submerged structure, shedding light on religious and ceremonial practices of the time. Farther east of the temple, the sanctuary was found, dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. There, archaeologists found several imported bronze and ceramic objects, even Greek weapons, indicating that Greek soldiers had guarded the ancient city during the 7th century BC. A spokesperson added that the discoveries reveal Greeks were permitted to relocate, live, and worship in the ancient Egyptian city.