It was more than 12 centuries since the city of Heracleion, a great and ancient Egyptian city, suddenly vanished from the pages of history. Historians do know that it was erected around 8th century BC, almost 3000 years ago, and was believed to have served as a port that all ships coming into Egypt had to stop at to declare their goods. Ships would come from the Greek world to trade.
|
The sunken city was discovered in 2000 by archaeologists. If they had not found it, all memory of it may have faded entirely...
|
In 2000, Franck Goddio and his team found the ruins about 6 km (3.7 miles) off the coastline, at a depth of about 45 meters (150 feet) under the water. The overall area of the city is estimated at about 11 on 15 km, at Aboukir Bay.
|
So far, the findings can be categorized as following: 1. Huge statues, some reaching over 5 meters (16 feet) tall and hundreds of smaller sculptures and statutes, depciting heroes and gods.
2. Gold and bronze coins, as well as stone weight to weigh them.
3. What remains of a monster fleet - over 64 ships were found buried in the sea bed.
4. Big slabs of stone inscribed in several languages, including ancient Greek and Ancient Egyptian.
5. Hundreds of ancient heavy anchors.
|
We don't know much about the reason for the fall of the city, but evidence suggests some educated guesses. The city may have been victim to a geological phenomena, caused by the slow movement of the soil under this part of the Mediterranean basin. The soil went down while the water went up, drowning the city and covering all its secrets with the waves, there they will wait thousands of years to be discovered again today.
|
Related Articles: These Are the 7 Oldest Cities on Earth that Still Stand 7 Digital Recreations of Ancient Ruins 14 Ancient Theaters of Greek Roman Antiquity |
The Story of the Roman Atlantis: The Ancient City of Baiae
In this article, we will explore what life was like in Baiae, why the city sank, and its rediscovery by explorers.
The Lost Seventh Wonder of the World, the Hanging Gardens
We have ample evidence for all of the ancient seven wonders of the world, except for one: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Did it exist?
This Ancient Civilization Just Mysteriously Vanished
Long ago, Malta was inhabited by a mysterious, advanced civilization, but one day, it ceased to exist. What happened?
It's Amazing to Think How Much the Ancient Egyptians Knew
Ancient Egypt was a truly amazing civilization that reached an incredible level of knowledge. Enjoy these 10 examples of how advanced it was.
The Full Glory of a Golden Rome...
Look at these unbelievably colorful postcards from Rome, resurrected by Retronaut.
15 Colossal Buildings Built by Ancients That Still Stand
Some of the greatest and most ancient buildings ever built by man are still used today, centuries after they were first constructed. These are 15 of the best.
2024 is Here! And This is Why You Should Be Excited for It
2024 is here! And this is why you should be excited for it.
These Things Will All Happen in the Next 24 Hours
The world is incredibly busy, and doesn't stop moving for anyone. Millions of things happen every second but these 19 things will happen over the next 24 hours.
14 Senior Graduates Prove It’s Never Too Late To Learn
Here are 14 inspiring examples of people who pursued education and knowledge in their senior years.
Historic Photos From Days of Christmas' Past...
Christmas is said to be a time of love, cheer, and human compassion. These photos may be decades-old, but the stories they tell are not much different than the stories of today.
Look Back at These Iconic Royal Wedding Photos
Royal Weddings were always a cause for public celebration and fascination. Here are some of the most iconic royal wedding photos in history.
These 6 People Have an IQ Higher Than Einstein!
Einstein's name has long been used as a synonym for genius, but history is full of other tremendously intelligent people. Here are 6 noteworthy examples!
These Benches Tell a Story: Witty & Heartfelt Tributes
These bench plaques will warm your heart instantly.
23 Extraordinary Vision Facts That'll Open Your Eyes Wide
The eye is an amazing body part, but did you know how amazing? These 23 facts will open your eyes to the extraordinary truth.
These War Machines Were Truly One-of-a-Kind
It’s crazy to think these war weapons actually existed.
Dogs Can Teach Us a Lot About Friendship...
While dogs may be man's best friend, dogs’ best friends are undoubtedly other dogs, as these adorable pictures go to show.
News That Inspires: Positive Stories From Around the World
There are so many good things happening in the world. Here’s a look at some of the most inspiring news updates to brighten your day.
These History Facts Sound Unlikely But They’re Accurate!
From a happy story of a lucky kitty to one of an utterly tragic shipwreck, all 6 of these mind-blowing facts are difficult to believe but accurate!
Meet the 10 Most Influential Figures of the Renaissance
Learn about the 10 most influential characters from the rebirth of Western civilization, including sculptors, painters, architects, writers, humanists, scientists, and philosophers.
How to Approach an Unfamiliar Dog Safely
Just as there are courtesy rules to meeting a person for the first time, there are also right and wrong ways to approach an unfamiliar dog.
10 Richest People From History You Should Know About
A look at 10 of the richest people that lived in history. From emperor Mansa Musa to Muammar Gaddafi, it presents the insane sums these people had.
25 Incredible Facts About the Famous Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan struck fear into the hearts of his subjects during his reign, but there's a lot more to the man than meets the eye. Here are 25 intriguing facts.
A Beautiful Story About True Love and Devotion
This beautiful story gives true credence to the words: "True Love"
If You Knew These English Facts You Must Be a Genius
Yeah, you are fluent in the English language, but do you really know that much about it? We bet we can surprise you with these language facts.
7 Old & Fascinating Easter Traditions No Longer Practiced
Easter is an ancient tradition and, like most ancient traditions, it has many practices no longer in use. Here are 7 fascinating Easter traditions that are no longer in practice.
How We Came to Play: The Origins of Playground Games
The fun games we played in our childhood had some interesting origins.
These Latin Phrases Will Make You Think About Life
Take note of these beautiful and wise Latin phrases and understand their deep meanings.
Beware of Ordering These (Potentially) Fake Foods
There are certain items on a restaurant's menu that should be considered with caution, and this is because they tend to be faked. Learn more here.
10 Incredible Magic Tricks You Didn't Know You Could Do
Time to try out some really cool magic tricks using just your hands...
How Clean Are Hotel Rooms, Really? Find Out the Answer!
Hotel rooms always look clean and fresh, but are they?
9 Different Types of Oranges You Never Knew About
How many of these unique orange varieties have you tried?
Fascinating Photos: Actors vs. the Real People They Played
Take a look yourself and make your own mind as to how faithful the actors were to the people they played in movies.
12 Crash Course Videos That Will Expand Your Horizons
Quarantine is an opportunity to learn something new! Check out this well-made series of videos that cover almost any topic you can think of!
911 Operators Have to Deal With the Craziest Cases...
911 operators in the United States are usually the ones to deal with unusual situations and emergencies. Here are 9 unbelievably crazy stories from them.
Collection: The Most Influential People In History
The collection before you is one that celebrates the most incredible people in history that inspire, motivate, amaze us and show us the way.
Cute Overload: Dreaming Puppies!
A video of 2 english bulldog puppies enjoying a visit to their own canine dreamland, who knows what kind of adventures they going on?
12 Rules for Basic Etiquette that Should Still be Practiced
It feels like people forgot the meaning of politeness, well these 12 rules of manners should be read, remembered and acted upon.
Of the Transformative Power of Classical Music...
A fascinating TED talk by Benjamin Zander.
These Are the MOST Beautiful & Famous European Crowns!
We're sure that you're well-versed in the history of European royals, but what do you know about the attribute that makes their reign legitimate - their CROWNS?
Fascinating: The Historical Facts You Never Hear About!
I never knew this, but history was quite different than what I was told. So take a peek behind the curtain at the real face of history with some shocking and insightful facts of history.
These 10 Documentaries Are a Must for Curious Minds
You can’t miss these thought-provoking documentaries.
Meet the One-Handed Climbing Champion, Brian Zarzuela
Brian Zarzuela has overcome disability in the most extraordinary ways.
These Facts Sound Made Up, But Are Totally Real!
These weird facts may sound completely fake, but we can prove that they’re actually real.
INTERACTIVE: The Musings of Philosophers Through the Ages
The great thinkers have imbued the world with greater knowledge and different perspectives. Learn about what the wisest men in history had to say.
15 Rare Photos of Iconic Authors You've Never Seen
Your favorite iconic authors, as you've never seen them before.
Early 1900s America Captured in Charming Vintage Photos
These vintage photos capture early 20th-century life in America.
9 Times the Future Was Predicted With Surprising Accuracy!
These 9 historical events were predicted with extreme accuracy, and here is who managed to forecast them...