Underwater archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery off the coast of Alexandria, unearthing the wreck of a 2,000-year-old pleasure boat. The vessel’s hull, measuring over 115 feet in length and approximately 23 feet in width, was located submerged in the port of the island of Antirhodos, as stated by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM).
The boat features Greek graffiti that may date back to the first half of the first century AD, lending credence to the theory that it was constructed in Alexandria. It is believed that the vessel had a lavishly decorated cabin and was propelled entirely by oars, according to the Alexandria-based institute.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city of Alexandria has been shaped by natural disasters, including earthquakes and tidal waves, which submerged the island of Antirhodos, discovered in 1996. Over the years, divers have retrieved numerous artifacts, such as statues and coins, with some currently displayed at the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria.
IEASM director Franck Goddio expressed enthusiasm about the find, stating, “It’s extremely exciting because it’s the first time ever that such a boat has been discovered in Egypt.” He noted that while ancient authors like Strabo referenced similar boats and they were depicted in artworks, an actual vessel had never been uncovered until now.
Future investigations into the newly found wreck are expected to provide intriguing insights into the lifestyle, spirituality, affluence, and leisure activities of ancient Roman Egypt, as highlighted by the institute.
Alexandria, rich in historical ruins and treasures, faces significant threats from climate change, with rising sea levels causing the city to sink by more than three millimeters annually. In the best-case scenario proposed by the United Nations, a third of Alexandria could be underwater or uninhabitable by 2050.
The bay has revealed multiple shipwrecks, including remnants of Napoleon’s fleet from the 1798 Battle of the Nile. Earlier this year, IEASM also discovered a well-preserved boat around 20 feet long in the eastern harbor of Alexandria, according to a podcast by the Hilti Foundation.
In August, archaeologists announced the recovery of ancient statues, Roman coins, and other artifacts from the Mediterranean Sea. Divers were seen retrieving an artifact from the waters at Abu Qir Bay in Alexandria during an event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Authorities suggest that the site might be linked to the ancient city of Canopus, a significant center during the Ptolemaic dynasty and the Roman Empire. This latest discovery of the pleasure boat comes shortly after the announcement of 225 funerary figurines found in a tomb in the ancient city of Tanis, located in the Nile Delta.
