Egypt Recovers Ancient Artifacts From Mediterranean Seabed, Alexandria

Egypt has successfully recovered several ancient artifacts from the Mediterranean seabed near Alexandria's Abu Qir Bay, marking the first underwater antiquities recovery operation in 25 years. The discoveries include a headless granite statue from the Late Period or Ptolemaic era, a quartz sphinx statue bearing the sigil of Rameses II, a granite figure, and a white marble statue of a Roman nobleman. These relics were retrieved using cranes and were displayed during a ceremony attended by Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathi, and other officials. The site near the sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion, believed to have submerged due to an earthquake, has yielded numerous artifacts over the years, providing valuable insights into ancient civilizations that thrived in the region. The recovered items contribute to the ongoing exhibition "Secrets of the Sunken City" at the Alexandria National Museum, which showcases 86 artifacts from submerged sites and runs until February. Authorities plan further recoveries from the rich underwater archaeological sites in Abu Qir Bay, emphasizing the importance of preserving Egypt's cultural heritage.