"Canopus was the principal port in Egypt for Greek trade before the foundation of Alexandria, along with Naucratis and Heracleion, and its ruins lie near the modern Egyptian town of Abu Qir. It was an important city during the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled Egypt for nearly 300 years, and the Roman empire, which governed for around 600 years."
"The area was subject to several ancient disasters including rising sea levels, earthquakes and tsunamis. Most of it was destroyed by liquefaction toward the end of the 2nd century BC. The remains of its eastern suburbs are submerged in the Mediterranean, while its western suburbs lie buried beneath Abu Qir. According to the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, during a three-day event last week celebrating underwater heritage (19-21 August),"
Submerged remains of the ancient city of Canopus off Alexandria have emerged for the first time in 25 years, including limestone structures, a dock and reservoirs used for water and fish cultivation. Canopus served as a principal Greek trading port before Alexandria and later became significant during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Portions of the city remain underwater after liquefaction and multiple disasters including rising sea levels, earthquakes and tsunamis. Excavations recovered large statues such as a quartz sphinx with Ramses II cartouches and a white marble Roman nobleman. Egyptian officials and divers participated in a recent three-day underwater heritage event to raise the artefacts.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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