Egypt's sunken antiquities threatened by ship waste

Alexandria's eastern harbour is one of the oldest ports in the world. But divers and archaeologists on a mission to preserve history are more interested in what lies below the surface – the legendary old city of Alexandria in Egypt.

A sunken red granite tower, part of a pylon of the Isis temple, is lifted out of the Mediterranean Sea 
off the archaeological eastern harbour of Alexandria, Egypt. December 17, 2009 [Credit: AP]

A team of Egyptian archaeologists is working to preserve sunken antiquities – nearly 11,000 of them – on the sea floor off Alexandria. The site is part of the submerged palace complex believed to have been the home of Queen Cleopatra.

The palace was submerged following an earthquake in the 5th Century.

Egypt's government hopes that along with the ruins in Alexandria, the ancient palace will help draw up to 12 million tourists a year. 

But it is threatened by a growing amount of waste and oil spills.

Archaeologist plan on displaying the treasures of the fabled city, but only if the antiquities remain undamaged.

Source: TRT World [June 27, 2017]