Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt recovers major artifacts from Abu Qir Bay in historic underwater excavation
In a landmark event today, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, alongside Alexandria Governor Major General Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, the Commander of the Naval Forces, and the Commander of the Northern Military Region, witnessed the recovery of three significant artifacts from the depths of the Mediterranean Sea in Abu Qir Bay. The operation, part of the second day of activities celebrating Egypt’s submerged cultural heritage, marked the first such recovery in 25 years, drawing widespread local and international media attention.
The recovered artifacts include a large quartz sphinx statue bearing the cartouche of King Ramses II, a granite statue of an unidentified figure from the late Ptolemaic period with a broken neck and knees, and a white marble statue of a Roman nobleman. These treasures were retrieved from the Mediterranean seabed in Abu Qir, highlighting Egypt’s rich underwater archaeological heritage.
Minister Sherif Fathy expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces, Naval Forces, and the Engineering Authority for their fruitful collaboration in this exceptional operation. He praised their efforts in bringing these unique artifacts to light and emphasized the strong support from Egypt’s political leadership in preserving the nation’s cultural heritage. “The state’s commitment to safeguarding Egypt’s archaeological and cultural legacy plays a pivotal role in protecting our unique civilizational identity,” Fathy stated.
Fathy also reaffirmed Egypt’s adherence to UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, noting that some artifacts will remain underwater to preserve their historical value, while others are carefully extracted following strict scientific standards. He described the event as a powerful message to the world, showcasing Egypt’s ability to protect its heritage and enhance its global tourism appeal, which saw approximately 15.8 million visitors last year.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Yamna Al-Bahar, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ahmed Youssef, CEO of the Egyptian General Authority for Tourism Promotion, and Dr. Ahmed Rahima, Assistant Minister for Human Resources Development. Several foreign ambassadors and consuls in Egypt were also present.
Governor Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said welcomed the attendees and expressed pride in Alexandria’s storied history. He described the discovery as more than an archaeological find, calling it a “true recovery of a piece of our great history” and a valuable addition to Egypt’s cultural legacy. He highlighted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s support for major national projects in Alexandria, such as the Abu Qir Metro and the Abu Qir Port, which are driving sustainable development in the region.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled underscored the significance of Abu Qir’s archaeological site as a testament to Egypt’s ancient civilization. He noted that this recovery, the first in 25 years since Egypt signed the UNESCO convention in 2001, is part of a national project to develop Abu Qir Bay. Teams from the Supreme Council of Antiquities worked underwater to uncover submerged structures and artifacts, likely submerged due to geological changes or earthquakes. Khaled revealed that ongoing excavations may soon uncover a significant archaeological ship, with further details to be announced after scientific studies are completed.
The Abu Qir site, identified during previous archaeological surveys, is believed to be an extension of the ancient city of Canopus, featuring buildings, temples, water cisterns, fish-breeding basins, and a 125-meter-long maritime pier. The site spans multiple historical periods, including Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras, reflecting Egypt’s continuous cultural legacy.
Excavations also uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including amphorae with seals and production dates, remains of a merchant ship carrying nuts and a bronze scale, royal and sphinx statues, ushabti figurines, stone anchors, and coins from the Ptolemaic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods, as well as pottery vessels and fish-breeding basins.
This historic recovery underscores Egypt’s commitment to preserving its submerged heritage and positions Abu Qir as a key site for uncovering new chapters of Egypt’s “sunken civilization” in the Mediterranean.