Franck Goddio

58/2021. Sunken cities : Egypt's lost worlds edited by Franck Goddio, is a large format exhibition catalogue mostly of recent Egyptian marine archaeology, published by the British Museum. The 272 glossy pages focus on the lost cities of Canopus and Thonis-Heracleion, now under sea off the western Nile Delta, which first thrived during the Late Period when ancient "Greek" cultures in what are now Turkey, Cyprus, and Greece, established trade links with the richest Mediterranean culture of the ancient world in Egypt. The book then continues on into Greco-Roman ruled Egypt. I admit I'm more interested in earlier Egyptian periods, but it was interesting to see visible evidence of the powerful influence of earlier Egyptian civilisations on later Greek and Cypriot cultures, to read so many quotes from Herodotus now proven historically accurate, and to be reminded of the connections with Sappho's brother and her surviving poetry. The many photos of artefacts are also spectacular, although the displayed objects are mostly "high status" stone or robust metal items from religious offerings so the accompanying text concentrates on Egyptian religious culture rather than the daily lives of ordinary people.… (mer)

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the history of Alexandria and the Sunken Royal Quarters. A bit light on the technical aspects of the research and excavation but the site maps, drawings, and charts make up for it. As I have been living here in Alexandria for the past 12 years, and am an avid diver, this book has become one of my main references for diving the eastern harbor. The site maps and charts brought together what I have been looking at underwater over the years (Although much of it has been removed by Goddio's crew). This is also a good companion book for "Alexandria Rediscovered" (Emperour).

Shipwreckz
"http://www.shipwrecksofegypt.com"… (mer)