G. A. Belova, S. V. Ivanov, A. A. Belov, S. Laemmel

Russian underwater archaeological mission to Alexandria. General report (2003–2015)

Since 2003 the Centre for Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (CES RAS) has been conducting underwater archaeological reconnaissance in Alexandria (Egypt). A concession assigned to the CES RAS by the Supreme Council for Antiquities of Egypt includes a vast water area of around 80 km². A part of it is occupied by the modern Western port of Alexandria but the remaining area (c. 30 km², its depth is up to 40 m) contains numerous traces of submerged port structures and ancient navigation. The work was concentrated at two zones — at the regions of Anfushi and Agami capes. The remains of a massive breakwater, numerous ancient anchors and a cargo of a Hellenistic shipwreck dating from the middle of the 4^th–2^nd centuries BC were discovered here. In addition, the remains of a shipwreck of the late 18^th century (French transport ship ‘Le Patriote’) were examined, including a sea gun and numerous firearms. The most promising directions of future activities of the CES RAS in Alexandria are considered in the ‘Conclusions’.

Keywords:
Egyptology, underwater archaeology, ancient shipwrecks, ancient ports and harbours, Graeco-Roman Egypt, Alexandria, Napoleonic wars.

Original language — English.

DOI: 10.24411/2686-9276-2019-00005.

Referring: Belova G. A., Ivanov S. V., Belov A. A., Laemmel S. Russian underwater archaeological mission to Alexandria. General report (2003–2015) // Egypt and neighbouring countries 3 (2019): 1–31. DOI: 10.24411/2686-9276-2019-00005.

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