Lost Kingdom Of Cleopatra
Buried beneath the deep waters lie ruins of fascinating and marvelous ancient kingdoms that today are nothing than lost memories of the past.
Many advanced ancient civilizations ended due to earthquakes, tsunamis or other natural disasters. Precious objects and ruins of ancient cities are lost in the depths of lakes, seas and oceans worldwide.
Archaeologists are aware of that there are many ancient secrets at the bottom of the oceans and we can learn more about our ancestors with help of emerging technologies that provide us with an opportunity to explore the depths as never before.
Lost for 1,600 years, the kingdom of Cleopatra was discovered off the shores of Alexandria, Egypt.
Cleopatra VII Philopator, known to history as Cleopatra, was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt.
She was a member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of Greek origin that ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great’s death during the Hellenistic period
It is commonly believed that the Cleopatra’s empire was destroyed by an earthquake and tidal waves.
Scientists think that the entire city was completely submerged, along with all the artifacts, statues, columns and other beauties of the palace of Cleopatra.
A team of marine archaeologists, led by Frenchman, Franck Goddio, began excavating the ancient city in 1998.
“It’s a unique site in the world,” said Goddio, who has spent two decades searching for shipwrecks and lost cities below the seas.
It was a great surprise to discover that several artifacts remained largely intact. Amongst the discoveries were the foundations of the palace, shipwrecks, red granite columns, and statues of the goddess Isis and a sphinx.
Among the massive limestone blocks toppled in the fourth century was a huge quartzite block with an engraving of a pharaoh. An inscription indicates it depicts Seti I, father of Ramses II.
Divers also discovered a colossal stone head believed to be of Caesarion, son of Cleopatra and previous lover Julius Caesar, and two sphinxes, one of them probably representing Cleopatra’s father, Ptolemy XII.
The Egyptian Government plans to create an underwater museum and hold tours of the site. We have this as an open field for archaeology,” Goddio said.
It is a truly amazing underwater site for archaeologists who have so far discovered 20,000 sunken treasure objects.
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Egypt- The land which gave a new meaning to civilization needs no introduction. Known for its architecture whether pyramids or minarets, Egypt has always been the cream of the archaeological crop. Here comes another gift from its mysterious past, a lost city under water!
Deep beneath the harbor of Alexandria that is 5 to 7 meters (15 to 21 feet) is an enthralling ancient kingdom of Queen Cleopatra. According to historians, it got submerged in the water due to an earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster. The entire city plunged into the sea along with the statues, artifacts and the beautiful palace of Cleopatra. The kingdom that was gone missing for over 1,600 years, was recently discovered off the shores of Alexandria in Egypt.
A team of marine archaeologists who spent decades in search of shipwrecks and missing cities below the seas, found this when they began excavating Alexandrian waters in 1998.
Amongst their many discoveries, they found were, coins, red granite columns, statues of the ancient Egyptian god Isis, two sphinxes, an enormous quartzite block with an inscription of a pharaoh, a gigantic stone head believed to be of Caesarion, the son of Cleopatra, the former lover Julius Caesar, representing Cleopatra’s father, Ptolemy XII. So far, 20,000 sunken objects were discovered. Despite the passing of time, everything was preserved in the most perfect condition. The coins are believed to have an insurance value of 50 million dollars.
The Government of Egypt has planned to hold tours for this site by creating an underwater art museum. It also has been serving as an open arena for archeology. Many topographical surveys have been undertaken to conquer the harbor’s poor visibility as it is situated in the murky waters.
In the near future, it will become a remarkable spot for diving and fiberglass tunnels would be constructed for the people who don’t wish to dive. This project is however facing barriers as funding for this museum will cost up to $140m ((£98m), which is not been secured yet.
Cleopatra VII Philopator was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. She belonged to the Ptolemaic dynasty, a family of the Greek origin. This royal consort was an intellectual ruler and at times a shrewd diplomat who by any means knew how to hold her nation. Her empire was the world’s best center of civilization. She never would have imagined in her wildest dreams that one day her prestigious empire would get subsided in the gloomy waters of Alexandria.
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