An Egyptian archaeological mission led by the Supreme Council of Antiquities has conducted exciting underwater research in a section of the Mediterranean Sea just 650 meters from El Alamein beach. This work uncovered the remains of a shipwreck dating back to the third century BC.
The presence of the ancient shipwreck was initially noticed by engineer Hussein Malik of the Marine Research Company, who immediately reported the remarkable discovery to the Supreme Council of Antiquities. In response to this report, a special expedition was organized, which confirmed the presence of the wrecked merchant ship more than two thousand years ago.
One of the most exciting aspects of this discovery is the rich cargo the ship was carrying. Archaeologists found a significant number of well-preserved amphorae on the seabed. In ancient times, these were the vessels that carried the most valuable goods, including oil, wine, grain and olives. These valuable goods were shipped from ports on the northern coast of Africa to southern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean and back again.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the commercial importance of the El Alamein region and the entire northern coast of Africa in the third century BC. Many trading ports were located here, making this discovery even more significant for understanding the high status of ancient Egypt and its development of trade links with Mediterranean countries.
Historical evidence suggests that there were about 30 villages, towns and ports on the northern coast of Egypt during the Greek and Roman eras, among which the ports of Marsa Matruh, El Dabaa and Marina el Alamein were particularly notable. It is interesting to note that the analysis of the artifacts found at the shipwreck site showed that most of the amphorae were made on the island of Rhodes in Greece, which was an important trading and political center at the time. This indicates that Ancient Egypt maintained close trade ties with Greece.
However, underwater archaeologists have also determined that the cause of the disaster was the ship’s collision with the reefs. This confirms the difficulties and dangers that ancient seafarers faced during their voyages. Such discoveries allow us to better understand the historical events and life of those times.
This discovery is an important step in the study of ancient maritime travel and trade in the Mediterranean Sea. It expands our knowledge of ancient Egypt and its connections with other civilizations of the time. Underwater archaeological work continues and we can expect even more exciting discoveries in the future.
