Lost underwater city explored in documentary

A lost city found underwater in the Mediterranean Sea will be revealed in a special documentary 13 years in the making.
Known as Heracleion to the ancient Greeks and Thonis to the ancient Egyptians, the town used to be an ancient port for both civilisations.
Found in 2000, the town lies nine metres below the Aboukir Bay, about 6.4 kilometres off the coast of Egypt.
Experts at an Oxford University conference earlier this year said the ancient city may have sunk due to the heavy structures being built on clay. Others believe an extreme flood may have sent this city into the water.
During the underwater excavation, Dr Goddio found a giant red statue of the god Hapi, ancient ships and a monolithic chapel.
The documentary, Egypt’s Sunken City – A Legend is Revealed, will look at French underwater archaeologist Dr Frank Goddio’s work and premieres next week on French and German TV.
Very scarce records alluded to the lost city, and over time the city was forgotten. Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) wrote about a great temple that was built where the famous hero Herakles first set foot on to Egypt. He also mentions Heracleion when Helen visited it with her lover Paris before the Trojan War.

Lost underwater city explored in documentary

A colossal statue of red granite (5.4 m) representing the god Hapi, which decorated the temple of Heracleion. Photo: Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation, Christoph Gerigk

Source: news.com.au.