Canopic region — Studies
Myths & Legends
In the seventh and sixth centuries BC, the settlement of traders and mercenaries from the Aegean world in the Nile Delta raised the problem of the relative identities of the different gods, leading to the association/assimilation of the incoming deities with local gods, together with their practices of worship and […]
continued → Port InfrastructureAn ideal port location?
The geophysical and archaeological surveys conducted in the Bay of Aboukir help to give an idea of the topography of the now-sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion. The site, whose objects reflects continued occupation from the eighth to the second century BC, to the south contained the temenos of an important temple […]
continued → Trade & CommerceThonis-Heracleion: customs station and emporion
The discovery of Thonis-Heracleion in the mouth of a branch of the Nile in the Mediterranean, provides information that opens new avenues of research: the role of the site amongst the indigenous coastal communities, the patterns of occupation and management of coastal fringes, and its relation to the history of […]
continued → Naval constructionThe wrecks of Thonis-Heracleion
Archaeological excavations undertaken after geophysical survey have clarified the topography of the city of Thonis-Heracleion, which from the eighth century BC was the site of border and customs control, and the emporion through which passed products imported by the Greeks. This port clearly saw intense activity: over 700 anchors and […]
continued → Material Culture | CeramicsCeramics
Surveys and excavations conducted by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology at the sites of Heracleion and Canopus (east of the peninsula of Abukir) and in the Eastern Port of Alexandria, have begun to deliver remarkable ceramic material, both intact and broken. Very often the first datable elements of occupation, […]
continued → Material Culture | CoinsCoins
From Alexandria to Canopus and Heracleion: the coinsOver the centuries since they were deserted by their last inhabitants, it has been the fate of many ancient city sites to be stripped of their contents and identity. Usable stone is quarried; the great buildings of the past tumble, streets fill with […]
continued → Material Culture | StatuaryStatuary
The most important statuary discoveries on the sites of Portus Magnus of Alexandria, Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus were studied by Professor Jean Yoyotte (Honorary professor at the Collège de France) (SCA 208, 279, 280, 453, 454, 455, 541, 542), Prof. John Baines (University of Oxford) (SCA 281), Prof. Robert RR Smith […]
continued → Material Culture | StatuettesStatuettes
A selection of metal statuettes from the sites in the Bay of Aboukir was presented in F. Goddio, D. Fabre (eds.), Egypt’s Sunken Treasures. Catalogue of the exhibition. Munich, 2008.The statuettes discovered at Thonis-Heracleion are being studied as in a doctoral thesis at the University of Oxford by S. Heinz, […]
continued → Material Culture | JewelleryJewellery
Jewels of the Byzantine PeriodThe jewels from the Byzantine period (sixth - eighth century AD) unearthed in East Canopus were scattered throughout the site, like the seals and coins from the same period. Objects of everyday life, sometimes with a strong symbolic connotation, these jewels could also become votive offerings. […]
continued → Material Culture | Metal artefactsMetal artefacts
Bronze objects discovered at Thonis-Heracleion were studied in a doctoral thesis defended at the University of Oxford in 2008 by Z. Robinson, The metalware from the sanctuary complex at Heracleion Thonis, DPhil. Thesis, University of Oxford, 2008. The lead objects are being analyzed as part of a doctoral thesis at […]
continued → Material Culture | Stone artefactsStone artefacts
Les éléments les plus représentatifs du mobilier en pierre ont été présentés dans le catalogue de l’exposition Trésors engloutis d’Egypte, Fr. Goddio, D. Fabre (éd) Le seuil, Paris, 2006. Se reporter au menu mobilier. […]
continued → Material Culture | SealsSeals
A selection of seals has been presented in the catalogue of the exhibition Egypt’s Sunken Treasues, Fr. Goddio, D. Fabre (eds.) Paris, 2006. […]
continued → Material Culture | Weights and measuresWeights and measures
The archaeological material from the excavations at Thonis-Heracleion relating to weights and measures is being investigated by Elsbeth van der Wilt as part of a doctoral thesis at the University of Oxford: The Lead Objects from Heracleion-Thonis, DPhil. Thesis, University of Oxford, in preparation. […]
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