Ancient Underwater City Unveils Temples to Aphrodite and Amun Off Egypt's Coast

Off the coast of Egypt, nestled at the bottom of the Bay of Aboukir, lies Thonis-Heracleion, an ancient port city submerged beneath the Mediterranean Sea. This site, first unveiled in 2000 by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), has recently yielded spectacular findings, thanks to further exploration by IEASM in collaboration with Egypt's Department of Underwater Archaeology. Among the treasures are temples dedicated to the deities Aphrodite and Amun, shedding light on the city's rich religious tapestry.

Unearthing a Sunken Legacy

The recent excavations have brought to light not just architectural marvels but also artifacts that narrate the opulence and spiritual depth of Thonis-Heracleion. Among the significant discoveries are the remnants of temples dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, and Amun, a principal deity in ancient Egyptian religion symbolizing fertility, creation, and the unseen. This blend of Greek and Egyptian religious influences underscores the city's role as a melting pot of cultures and its strategic importance in ancient trade and politics. The exploration team, utilizing advanced geophysical prospecting technologies, uncovered structures dating back to the 5th century B.C.E., revealing a timeline that stretches back millennia.