Project of the Project of the Construction of an Construction of an

Underwater Museum in Underwater Museum in Alexandria, EgyptAlexandria, Egypt

Presentation by Presentation by

Ulrike Koschtial, UNESCOUlrike Koschtial, UNESCOFocal Point 2001 Convention on Focal Point 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater the Protection of the Underwater Cultural HeritageCultural Heritage

Alaa El-Din Mahrous Alaa El-Din Mahrous Director of Underwater Director of Underwater Archaeology Department, Archaeology Department, Alexandria, EgyptAlexandria, Egypt

The historic The historic backgroundbackground

Mention of the port of the Pharos Island by Mention of the port of the Pharos Island by HomerHomer

City founded by Alexander the Great in City founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC331BC

Place of the lighthouse, the palace of Place of the lighthouse, the palace of Ptolemy and CleopatraPtolemy and Cleopatra

Close-by sunken cities of Abukir Bay Close-by sunken cities of Abukir Bay (Canopus, Herakleion, Menouthis) and site of (Canopus, Herakleion, Menouthis) and site of several battles of Napoleonic timesseveral battles of Napoleonic times

Large amount of underwater cultural Large amount of underwater cultural heritage (2,5 hectars in Alexandria Bay)heritage (2,5 hectars in Alexandria Bay)

The submersionThe submersion

Subsidence most probably Subsidence most probably occurred at two moments: occurred at two moments: – tsunami of 21 July, 365AD, tsunami of 21 July, 365AD, – around the 8th centuryaround the 8th century

Also earthquakes in 955, 10th Also earthquakes in 955, 10th and 14th century (which and 14th century (which destroyed among others the destroyed among others the Pharos)Pharos)

History of discoveryHistory of discovery

First discoveries, mainly in the Western First discoveries, mainly in the Western Port, by Gaston Jondet in 1911 to 1915Port, by Gaston Jondet in 1911 to 1915

Recovery of objects from the Eastern Recovery of objects from the Eastern Harbour after discoveries by Kamel Abdul-Harbour after discoveries by Kamel Abdul-Saadat in 1962Saadat in 1962

First scientific mission, organized by First scientific mission, organized by UNESCO (Honor Frost and Vladimir UNESCO (Honor Frost and Vladimir Nesteroff) in 1968 – topography and Nesteroff) in 1968 – topography and discovery of artefactsdiscovery of artefacts

Archaeological excavations of Pharos and Archaeological excavations of Pharos and Ptolemy palace since 1990ies (Empereur, Ptolemy palace since 1990ies (Empereur, Goddio)Goddio)

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

Artist's view of the ancient Artist's view of the ancient

Portus Magnus of AlexandriaPortus Magnus of Alexandria

Discoveries by Jean-Discoveries by Jean-Yves EmpereurYves Empereur

Topography of Pharos siteTopography of Pharos site monumental doorway in Doric style (Pharos?)monumental doorway in Doric style (Pharos?) 3,000 blocks from Pharos 3,000 blocks from Pharos two monolithic tabernaclestwo monolithic tabernacles an obelisk of Seti Ian obelisk of Seti I a large vasque a large vasque a sarcophagus bathtuba sarcophagus bathtub two papyriform columns of the 19th dynastytwo papyriform columns of the 19th dynasty a Roman era honorific column, numerous sphinxes a Roman era honorific column, numerous sphinxes 9 colossal statues 9 colossal statues

Discoveries by Franck Discoveries by Franck Goddio:Goddio: Topography of 'Magnus Portus' , Cape Lochias Topography of 'Magnus Portus' , Cape Lochias

(kings' palaces and royal port), the peninsula, (kings' palaces and royal port), the peninsula, Poseidon temple and Mark Anthony’s Poseidon temple and Mark Anthony’s TimoniumTimonium

Excavations at Antirhodos island (Royal House Excavations at Antirhodos island (Royal House and sanctuary of Isis), finds includedand sanctuary of Isis), finds included– statues of Priest of Isis, the god Agathodaimon, a statues of Priest of Isis, the god Agathodaimon, a

Ptolemy king as Hermes, the heads of Antonia Minor Ptolemy king as Hermes, the heads of Antonia Minor and Augustus, and god Thot-Hermes as an ibisand Augustus, and god Thot-Hermes as an ibis

– two sphinxestwo sphinxes– pavement, timber, columnspavement, timber, columns– a shipwrecka shipwreck– Many other artefactsMany other artefacts

The project for an The project for an underwater museumunderwater museum 1997 international meeting and 1997 international meeting and

1998 scientific mission sponsored 1998 scientific mission sponsored by UNESCO and Egyptian by UNESCO and Egyptian authorities – proposal for authorities – proposal for underwater museumunderwater museum

2006 International workshop 2006 International workshop recommends construction of recommends construction of museum including underwater partsmuseum including underwater parts

The different playersThe different players

Egyptian Authorities – main contractor Egyptian Authorities – main contractor and overviewand overview

Jacques Rougerie – Leading architect Jacques Rougerie – Leading architect of the team undertaking the feasibility of the team undertaking the feasibility studystudy

UNESCO – establishes International UNESCO – establishes International Scientific Advisory Committee (incl. Scientific Advisory Committee (incl. archaeologists Empereur and Goddio)archaeologists Empereur and Goddio)

Frank Goddio and Hilti Foundation – Frank Goddio and Hilti Foundation – financing of feasibility study from financing of feasibility study from benefits of Alexandria expositionbenefits of Alexandria exposition

Current statusCurrent status

January 2009: start of the January 2009: start of the feasibility studyfeasibility study

Spring 2009: First session of the Spring 2009: First session of the international UNESCO Committeeinternational UNESCO Committee

January 2010: Finalization of January 2010: Finalization of Feasibility StudyFeasibility Study

PProblemsroblems

Strong pollution in BayStrong pollution in Bay Need for integration of the project Need for integration of the project

into the development of the whole into the development of the whole of Alexandriaof Alexandria

Issue of Integrity of SiteIssue of Integrity of Site Problem of FinancingProblem of Financing Problems of soil stability, Problems of soil stability,

earthquake security, uplift of earthquake security, uplift of water, security etc.water, security etc.

Description by Rougerie Architecte: Contracting authority : Egyptian Government

Depth: 7 meters – Diameter: 40meters – Area: 22 000 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.

Thank youThank you