Abstract

In 2008, the mission of the Institut Européen d’Archéologie Sous-Marine (IEASM) made it possible once more to expand our knowledge of the sunken site found in the Bay of Aboukir (Egypt, North West of the Nile Delta), Thonis-Heracleion. The underwater research was carefully planned, taking into account the overall archaeological and geomorphologic data available. Observation of the current seabed conditions using new geophysical prospecting equipment made it possible to reveal in close details the original topographic layout of the sites and to adapt any excavation work according to the results. A prospection program and several new surveys have been implemented in order to compare data and define accurately the different interpretations relating to the occupation of the sites, construction works, and the causes that led to their destruction. The work to be carried out at Thonis-Heracleion involved checking a certain number of specific issues relating to the position of numerous ancient wrecks brought to surface, and outlining the layout of the ‘sacred’ and ‘urban’ sectors of the cities; in particular, any access points to the harbour infrastructures. A discovery was made while carrying on research activities at the ‘Eastern Passage’, between the ‘Central’ and the ‘Northern Basin’. Together with beautiful imported figured vases dating from the Fifth–Fourth century BC, a limestone statuette head was found buried in a layer of gray sand. According to the preliminary study of Professor Zsolt Kiss, this statuette head may have belonged to a representation of a Cypriot god (Baal or Melqart) dating from the Fifth century BC. This statuette offers the possibility to touch on the contacts between Thonis-Heracleion and Cyprus in a specific archaeological and topographical context of the city, and more generally about its role of the border, customs post and emporion at the Egypt’s gates.