Egypt: International Mission Reveals Submerged Ptolemaic Port Off the Coast of Alexandria

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced an important archaeological discovery under the Mediterranean Sea that confirms the existence of an ancient submerged port from the Ptolemaic era, which was linked to the temple of "Taposiris Magna" and connected directly to the sea.

This discovery is the result of collaboration between the Dominican archaeological mission led by Dr. Kathleen Martinez from the National University of Pedro Enriquez Ureña, and both Dr. Robert Ballard and Dr. Larry Mayer, director of the Coastal and Marine Mapping Center at the University of New Hampshire, with the participation of the Marine Survey Administration of the Egyptian Navy and the General Administration of Sunken Antiquities.

The results of the geological and archaeological survey revealed an internal port protected by coral reefs, where stone and metal anchors of various sizes were found alongside large quantities of Ptolemaic amphorae. The survey work also led to the discovery of an extension of a tunnel connecting the temple to the sea heading towards the "Salam 5" area, where divers found archaeological evidence supporting the hypothesis of ancient maritime activity. Studies showed that the old coastline is about 4 kilometers away from the current site.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy described this discovery as reflecting "the historical depth and maritime dimension of ancient Egypt," emphasizing that "its coasts were not just centers of civilization, but strategic hubs for commercial and cultural communication with the ancient world." He confirmed the ministry's continued support for such research projects that highlight the treasures of submerged Egypt.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, affirmed that this discovery "represents a significant scientific addition to Egyptian maritime archaeology," especially since ancient sources had not previously mentioned it. He added that these results "not only enhance our understanding of the economic and religious structure during that era but also confirm Egypt's status as a global center for maritime activity for thousands of years."

For her part, Dr. Kathleen Martinez viewed that "these results represent a new chapter in the study of the history of the Taposiris Magna temple area," noting that the mission continues its work "to uncover more secrets and the richness of this archaeological area."

It is worth mentioning that the mission had discovered last year foundational deposits under the southern wall of the temple, containing a variety of archaeological finds and funerary pieces, in addition to 337 coins, many of which bear the image of Queen Cleopatra VII, a collection of ritual pottery and oil lamps, bronze statues, an amulet in the shape of a scarab inscribed with the phrase "The Justice of Ra has shone," and a ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor.