Recent discoveries of ancient ships and boats from Thonis-Heracleion and Alexandria (Egypt)

Dr. Alexander Belov (European Institute of Underwater Archaeology, IAESM, France)

The European Institute of Underwater Archaeology, directed by Franck Goddio, conducts archaeological research in the Great Port (Portus Magnus) of Alexandria and in the sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion since 25 years. One hundred twenty-five ancient ships were identified in the ports and canals of this city, making the site one of the most important accumulations of ancient ships in the world. The majority of the ships date to the Late (664–332 BC) and Ptolemaic Period (332–31 BC). Several well-preserved ships from the Roman Period were excavated during the last three years in the port of Alexandria. In this lecture, the author will speak about recent underwater discoveries of ancient nautical material from these two cities.