It’s more than just a legend. The city of Thonis-Heracleion, featured in several rare inscriptions and ancient texts, has been hidden and submerged deep under the sea for thousands of years.
After years of searching the vast area of Abu Qir Bay off the coast of Egypt, French archaeologist Frank Goddio and his team saw colossal faces emerge from the shadows of the water. Goddio finally found Thonis Heracleion, which was literally submerged 6.5 kilometers off the coast of Alexandria. Among the underwater ruins are 64 ships, 700 anchors, a treasure trove of gold coins, a 16-foot statue, and most importantly the remains of the great temple of the god Amun-Gereb and a small sarcophagus for the animals brought there as offerings.
The ruins and artifacts made of granite and diorite are well preserved and provide a glimpse into what was once the largest port city in the world 2300 years ago. The port of Thonis-Heracleion (the name of an Egyptian and Greek city) controlled all trade with Egypt.
The city was built around a large temple and was crossed by a network of canals, just like Venice.
It was a home for small temples and houses on the island. It used to be a great city, today its history is largely obscure and no one is entirely sure how it came to be completely underwater. However largely it is presumed that it was engulfed by sea nearly 1500 years ago.
