On December 8, archaeologists made a significant discovery off the coast of Alexandria, unearthing the wreck of a 2,000-year-old ancient Egyptian pleasure boat. This find enhances our understanding of the region’s maritime history. The vessel, measuring over 35 meters, was located near Antirhodos, a submerged island that was part of Alexandria’s expansive port, Portus Magnus. This aligns with descriptions by the first-century Greek historian Strabo, who noted similar boats used for leisure by the royal court.
The boat’s luxurious construction, featuring an ornately decorated cabin and designed for shallow waters, provides valuable insights into the engineering and social customs of the time. Initial examinations suggest it required over 20 rowers for propulsion, highlighting its dual purpose for transportation and entertainment. Franck Goddio, director of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, emphasized that this is the first discovery of such a vessel in Egypt, previously known only through literature and art.
Additionally, researchers found Greek graffiti on the boat, likely dating to the first half of the first century AD, which supports the theory of its construction in Alexandria. The wreck lies approximately 7 meters underwater and 1.5 meters beneath sediment, believed to have sunk during the destruction of the nearby Temple of Isis around AD 50, a time marked by catastrophic earthquakes and tidal waves. Further studies are expected to shed light on the life, luxury, and cultural significance of waterways in early Roman Egypt.
