Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay)
Heracleion Canal N
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Bronze–Iron Age maritime·🇪🇬 Alexandria, Abu Qir Bay, Heracleion, Egypt
About
About Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay)
Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay) in Alexandria, Abu Qir Bay, Heracleion, Egypt is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) submerged city attributed to Bronze–Iron Age maritime. Systematic survey and magnetometry document stratified harbour deposits. The site includes a principal platform and domestic quarter. Dimensions grid 210 m × 180 m; mole 85 m long × 7 m wide; area unmeasured ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition submerged 3–6 m. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze–Iron Age maritime submerged-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at -10 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Construction technique
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Bronze–Iron Age maritime
- Purpose
- Submerged harbour and urban insulae under sea
- Rediscovered
- 1929
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1112 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1959
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1546 CE
Abandonment / submergence
On the ground
Structures & features
31.3100° N · 30.1100° E · -10 m · 4 mapped features
North Quay Mole
moleNorth Quay Mole at Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay) — mole with stratified deposits
31.3122° N · 30.1091° EStreet Grid Insula
insulaStreet Grid Insula at Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay) — insula with stratified deposits
31.3087° N · 30.1104° EHarbour Basin
basinHarbour Basin at Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay) — basin with stratified deposits
31.3099° N · 30.1079° EWarehouse Terrace
warehouseWarehouse Terrace at Heracleion-Thonis — North Canal Ancillary (Abu Qir Bay) — warehouse with stratified deposits
31.3093° N · 30.1112° E