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Franck Goddio presented the latest discoveries
in the Nile Delta in Egypt
Alexandria (Egypt) June 3, 2000 � French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio presented his latest discoveries in the Bay of Aboukir to international media last Saturday. They are attributed to the region where, long before famous Alexandria was founded, the cities of Canopus, Herakleion and Menouthis were located. The latter two sank into the sea under still not fully understood circumstances. Franck Goddio believes that these findings are the first step towards bringing this region to light again with its rich history and culture.
After in-depth research work had been started in 1997 in the Bay of Aboukir (about 20 km from Alexandria) in close co-operation with the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities at the same time as the famous work then being done in Alexandria Harbour and an electronic underwater map of the region was developed, very large and significant accumulations of ruins, among others, were located next to the remains of Napoleon�s Fleet.
In 1998 and 1999, archaeological salvaging of the Orient, Napoleon Bonaparte�s flagship, was recommenced and the frigate S�rieuse, another ship in the French Fleet, discovered. These results and the realisations pertaining to the naval battle have already been published and documented in a film.
During his latest exploration of the region, Franck Goddio discovered the foundations of various buildings, columns and fields of ruins as well as a large number of artefacts, such as statues, heads, gold coins and jewellery. In addition, two highly interesting fields of ruins were identified near the coast which are presumably the remains of sunken cities. The one very significant field of ruins has remained completely unknown until the present day.
Franck Goddio�s most important finds are the main missing pieces of the Naos of the Decades. The first part of this granite shrine, which was shattered into several pieces, was salvaged in 1777 by Sonnini de Manoncour and the second part in 1934 by Prince Omar Toussoum. The pieces now discovered will permit the function and significance of the Naos of the Decades to be determined more accurately.
The illustrations and inscriptions engraved in the shrine represent the 36 decades that are determined by the rise and fall of specific stars and are called Decanes. Numerous sources of ancient literature verify the existence of the once-famous region with its three cities. Among others, for example, the Greek historian Herodot described a temple of Hercules in Herakleion which he visited during the journey through Egypt he began in 450 BC. Other writers, such as Strabon, told of the luxurious lifestyle of the cities� inhabitants. These cities were not only renowned for their riches and lifestyle, but also for their many temples dedicated to the gods Serapis, Isis and Anubis. In the ancient world, a major centre of various religions and cults existed here.
Today, it is still unclear when and, most importantly, why these cities so rich in culture disappeared over the centuries. Natural catastrophes in addition to climatic as well as geological changes in the Nile Delta and the rise in sea level are suspected reasons. In view of this, geologists and geophysicists leading in their fields along with archaeologists and historians of international reputation belong to Mr. Goddio�s team. Their research could explain why the region sank beneath the waves of the Mediterranean in today�s Bay of Aboukir.
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Pictures by Christoph Gerigk
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