Heracleion: The Lost City of the Ancient World Current Estimated Value: Incalculable
Year Lost: Second Century B.C.
Year Found: 2000
Heracleion, an ancient city of great significance, serves as a poignant reminder of the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on human settlements. Once a thriving hub, it was lost to the depths of the sea due to powerful earthquakes and rising waters, remaining buried for centuries.
In 2000, scientists made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering the remnants of this submerged city. The findings revealed a wealth of artifacts and structures that provided invaluable insights into the culture and daily life of its inhabitants.
The Tombstone of Heracleion: A Key to Ancient History Source: Tombstone in Egypt (thetravel.com)
Among the remarkable discoveries in the ruins of Heracleion was a priceless tombstone featuring intricate hieroglyphs. This stele depicts a pharaoh presenting vases and loaves to the goddess Neith of Sais, highlighting the city's religious and cultural significance.
Significantly, this tombstone provided researchers with the first concrete evidence that the underwater city was known as Heracleion in Egyptian and Thonis in Greek. This discovery not only enriches our understanding of the city’s identity but also sheds light on the interactions between ancient Egyptian and Greek civilizations.
