The Resurfacing of a Rosy Granite Shrine in the Enigmatic Depths of Abu Qir Bay

Underwater archaeologists from the Naos of Amun-Gereb team unveiled the discovery of a rosy granite shrine submerged in the depths of Abu Qir Bay, located 32km northeast of Alexandria, Egypt.

This sacred Naos, dating back to the 4th-2nd Century BC during the Ptolemaic period (between Ptolemy III and VIII), once adorned the temple of Amun-Gereb on the central island of Thonis-Heracleion. Now resting 10m beneath the Mediterranean Sea, this submerged port city was home to the colossal statue of the deity Amun-Gereb within the confines of the shrine. The statue, standing at an impressive 174cm in height, 93cm in width, and 100cm in depth, weighed nearly three tonnes.

Fragmented inscriptions on the shrine offer insights into the divine connection between the king of Thonis-Heracleion and Amun, granting the monarch divine authority to rule over Egypt. As described in the book “Sunken Cities, Egypt’s Lost Worlds,” edited by Franck Goddio and Aurelia Masson-Berghoff, this aligns with the pharaonic ideology where the god’s selection of the royal heir legitimized each king’s reign—a particularly crucial aspect for rulers of foreign origin like the Ptolemies.

The Enduring Mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza

Constructed more than 4,500 years ago, Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza stands as the sole remaining structure of the Ancient World’s Wonders, as chronicled by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. Despite being extensively explored over time, the pyramid continues to unveil new secrets and mysteries.

In March 2023, an international team of researchers garnered attention for uncovering an undiscovered chamber within the Cheops pyramid. This revelation holds particular excitement as it has the potential to provide fresh insights into the ancient Egyptians’ building techniques and religious practices.

As early as 2016, measurements had hinted at the existence of a concealed hollow space near the chevron blocks close to the entrance. By 2023, scientists from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) significantly contributed to verifying this assumption using ultrasound and endoscopy. The pyramid’s status as one of the most thoroughly studied structures globally amplifies the significance of this find.

Situated on the northern side of the Pyramid of Khufu, the corridor, measuring 9 meters (almost 30 feet) in length and 2 meters (over 6 feet) in width, was detected by the “ScanPyramids” research team employing advanced scanning technology.