Hidden Treasures of Alexandria

During the 4th century AD, the royal city of Alexandria where Cleopatra, the last queen of ancient Egypt ruled was covered by water due to a series of earthquakes and tidal waves. For 20 centuries a large part of this city was lost in the east harbor of Alexandria. It wasn’t until 1996 when the ancient city began to be uncovered.

Why did it take explorers so long to find the great ruins of Alexandria? One reason is that the water of the Mediterranean was dark with pollutants and sewage making it difficult for divers to see anything. The area is also considered a high security area by the Egyptian military and anyone who wants to explore there has to go through a very intensive clearance and permit process.


Luckily, Frank Goddio, a French explorer, was determined to “find” this lost city. In 1992, Goddio began using sonar scanning and global positioning systems to locate objects on the ocean floor. He also used an instrument called a nuclear resonance magnetometer that is able to measure the smallest changes in the earth’s magnetic fields underwater. This tool helped him to located objects that were buried.

Goddio found what he was looking for, the Royal Quarter of Alexandria—the home of Cleopatra and Mark Antony. He located the island of Antirhodos that was located a few hundred yards offshore from the Royal Quarter. This island once housed Cleopatra’s Palace and it was found still covered with limestone blocks.

Statues and other treasures have been found during these excavations. One of the most exciting items found on Antirhodos was a statue of the Great Priest Isis and two Sphinxes. One of the Sphinxes is thought to have the face of Cleopatra’s father, Ptolemy XII. Along with these great finds were other ancient artifacts. Red granite columns with Greek inscriptions were found as well as a huge white marble statue of a Ptolemy king in the form of the god Hermes.

These discoveries helped Goddio and his team draw up maps of the Royal Quarter which will help historians and future explorations. Amazingly all of the artifacts that Goddio and his team found were brought to the surface where molds were made of them. Then, they sent them back to their homes underneath the water where they belong.