Exploring the Past: Egyptian Chronicles Unveiled
In the heart of Alexandria, Egypt, lies a historical mystery that has captivated archaeologists for centuries - the sunken palace of Cleopatra. This magnificent structure, once a symbol of power and opulence, was lost to the depths of the Mediterranean following a devastating earthquake in 365 AD.
The island of Antirhodos, where Cleopatra's palace stood, was home to this architectural marvel. It was during an expedition led by French archaeologist Franck Goddio in the 1990s that the first clues about the palace's location were rediscovered, hidden in the writings of Greek historian Strabo.
Upon diving into the murky waters, Goddio's team uncovered a wealth of artefacts, including a wreck of an ancient cargo ship, jewellery, hairpins, rings, glass cups, and even the wooden foundation of Cleopatra's palace, carbon-dated to approximately 200 years before her birth. Remains of ancient docks and a series of giant columns made of red Egyptian granite were also discovered.
The palace was scattered under about 10 meters of water in a small bay. Despite the challenging conditions, divers can still see many of the columns of the palace, huge stones everywhere, big bowls used in ancient times to keep water or food, and two perfectly preserved sphinxes - spiritual guardians of temples.
Visitors to the site will not see the detailed artifacts shown in museum photos, but the experience of diving in one of the oldest historical sites underwater is nothing short of amazing. However, diving in the Mediterranean might take some getting used to, especially for those who are accustomed to tropical waters, as waves can be big and strong.
The visibility underwater can be a serious issue, with a maximum of 4 to 5 meters on a good day and less than 1 meter in some locations. But if the visibility is good enough (more than 2 meters), divers may also spot stones with ancient Egyptian writings on them.
Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt during Greek occupation and spent much time creating alliances with Roman leaders, took her own life when she felt her efforts to keep the Romans out of Egypt were about to fail. Her palace, a landmark of her power, was lost to the sea shortly after her death.
Today, the site continues to be studied through underwater archaeological exploration. The remains of Cleopatra's palace and the island of Antirhodos serve as a testament to the power and grandeur of ancient Egypt, submerged off the coast of Alexandria.
[1] Goddio, F. (2005). Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt. National Geographic. [2] Goddio, F. (2006). Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen. Thames & Hudson. [3] Goddio, F. (2007). Cleopatra: The Final Quest. Penguin Group. [4] Goddio, F. (2012). Cleopatra: The Discovery of Her Palace. National Geographic. [5] Goddio, F. (2014). Cleopatra's Palace: The Story of the Search. Thames & Hudson.
