2000-year-old Roman shipwrecks found with gold coins and royal crystal head

ALEXANDRIA: Egyptian archaeologists have discovered at least three shipwrecks dating back to the Roman era.

Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities announced that the discoveries were made during excavation works carried out by the Egyptian mission in collaboration with the European Institute of underwater Archeology in Eastern port of Alexandria.

Dr. Waziri explained that the mission has succeeded to uncovered also a royal head carved in crystal dating back to the Roman-era and it “probably” belongs to the commander of the armies “Antonio”, in addition to three gold coins dating back to the Emperor “Octavius” in Abu Qir Bay in Alexandria.

He added that the mission has also uncovered a votive bark of god Osiris in the sunken city of Heraklion in Abu Qir bay.

Dr. Osama Alnahas, Head of the Central Department of the Underwater Antiquities said that the discovery of the three shipwrecks will leads the mission to other still hidden treasures underwater.

He continued that the excavation works indicate that a fourth shipwreck would be uncovered during the coming season as the mission uncovered some of Large wooden planks as well as archaeological remains of pottery vessels that may represent the cargo of the ship.

Dr.Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Sector said that the archaeological mission began its excavations last September after the approval of the Permanent Committee of Egyptian Antiquities

Its works included a survey of the soil in both the eastern port and the Abu Qir Bay, underwater excavations at the Heraklion sunken city in Abu Qir Bay,as well as the completion of the conservation and documentation works.