Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion

Why it mattersKey Ptolemaic Paraetonium port → WWII British (Mersa Matruh fortress 1940–42) port with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

330 BCE Paraetonium; 1940 pillboxes

Period

Ptolemaic to WWII El Alamein (330 BCE Paraetonium to 1942 WWII Montgomery Rommel bastion)

Culture

Ptolemaic Paraetonium port → WWII British (Mersa Matruh fortress 1940–42)

Purpose

Ptolemaic lagoon port (Parnetian) with Cleopatra bath rock cut 4 m pool and WWII 1942 Australian bastion trench system — Paraetonium ancient lagoon Rhapta? harbour lagoon 2 km

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1877

Excavation

Unexcavated

1. c. 400 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion

2. 2005 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion

• Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — Principal Structure

  structure

  structure at Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — primary structure

  31.3523° N · 27.2377° E

• Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — Complex Annex 2

  complex

  complex at Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — hydraulic feature

  31.3532° N · 27.2365° E

• Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — Southern Rock Art

  rock art

  rock art at Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — primary structure

  31.3529° N · 27.2374° E

• Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — Eastern Structure

  structure

  structure at Marsa Matruh — Mersa Matruh Paleobeach and WWII Bastion — primary structure

  31.3538° N · 27.2369° E