1. Presentation by
Ulrike Koschtial, UNESCO
Focal Point 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage
Alaa El-Din Mahrous
Director of Underwater Archaeology Department, Alexandria, Egypt
Project of the Construction of an Underwater Museum in Alexandria, Egypt

2. The historic background
Mention of the port of the Pharos Island by Homer
City founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC
Place of the lighthouse, the palace of Ptolemy and Cleopatra
Close-by sunken cities of Abukir Bay (Canopus, Herakleion, Menouthis) and site of several battles of Napoleonic times
Large amount of underwater cultural heritage (2,5 hectars in Alexandria Bay)

5. The submersion Subsidence most probably occurred at two moments:
tsunami of 21 July, 365AD,
around the 8th century
Also earthquakes in 955, 10th and 14th century (which destroyed among others the Pharos)

6. History of discovery
First discoveries, mainly in the Western Port, by Gaston Jondet in 1911 to 1915
Recovery of objects from the Eastern Harbour after discoveries by Kamel Abdul-Saadat in 1962
First scientific mission, organized by UNESCO (Honor Frost and Vladimir Nesteroff) in 1968 – topography and discovery of artefacts
Archaeological excavations of Pharos and Ptolemy palace since 1990ies (Empereur, Goddio)

7. Lay-out of the submerged royal quarters of Alexandria in the Eastern Port

8. Artist's view of the ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria

9. Discoveries by Jean-Yves Empereur
Topography of Pharos site
monumental doorway in Doric style (Pharos?)
3,000 blocks from Pharos
two monolithic tabernacles
an obelisk of Seti I
a large vasque
a sarcophagus bathtub
two papyriform columns of the 19th dynasty
a Roman era honorific column, numerous sphinxes
9 colossal statues

10. Discoveries by Franck Goddio:
Topography of 'Magnus Portus' , Cape Lochias (kings' palaces and royal port), the peninsula, Poseidon temple and Mark Anthony’s Timonium
Excavations at Antirhodos island (Royal House and sanctuary of Isis), finds included
statues of Priest of Isis, the god Agathodaimon, a Ptolemy king as Hermes, the heads of Antonia Minor and Augustus, and god Thot-Hermes as an ibis
two sphinxes
pavement, timber, columns
a shipwreck
Many other artefacts

12. The project for an underwater museum
1997 international meeting and 1998 scientific mission sponsored by UNESCO and Egyptian authorities – proposal for underwater museum
2006 International workshop recommends construction of museum including underwater parts

13. The different players
Egyptian Authorities – main contractor and overview
Jacques Rougerie – Leading architect of the team undertaking the feasibility study
UNESCO – establishes International Scientific Advisory Committee (incl. archaeologists Empereur and Goddio)
Frank Goddio and Hilti Foundation – financing of feasibility study from benefits of Alexandria exposition

14. Current status January 2009: start of the feasibility study
Spring 2009: First session of the international UNESCO Committee
January 2010: Finalization of Feasibility Study

15. Problems Strong pollution in Bay
Need for integration of the project into the development of the whole of Alexandria
Issue of Integrity of Site
Problem of Financing
Problems of soil stability, earthquake security, uplift of water, security etc.

16. Description by Rougerie Architecte:
Contracting authority : Egyptian Government
Depth: 7 meters – Diameter: 40meters – Area: m² – Capacity : 3 millions of visitors per year
An underwater voyage to the sunken cities of Alexandria. From the lagoon, 3 celestial harps should rise up. An underwater tunnel will lead to a land stela where the monumental statues saved from the waters are exhibited.

17. Thank you