Archaeologists to survey the Nile in search of sunken antiquities

[G-Manicus]

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Cairo, Oct 6: An Egyptian archaeological team will track down the locations of the Nile river's ancient sunken treasures.

 

Alaa Mahrous, director of the underwater antiquities department in Alexandria, said that the archaeological team headed by Dr Zahi Hawass, director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, has selected the Nile to be the subject of their search, as the river has not been excavated till date.

 

"The survey will cover the area between the quarries in Aswan and Abydos. Over the centuries this was a significant area - either for the ancient Egyptians or the many rulers of the country who followed. The granite quarries were located in Aswan. The statues and obelisks used to be cut and shaped in the mountains before they were shipped to Luxor and Abydos," said Mahrous.

 

Mahrous said the team was hoping to find any such pieces that might have sunk while being loaded on unloaded from ships.

 

"It is also possible to discover shipwrecks as many huge boats sank along with their load which consisted of statues, pottery and merchandise. We also have information regarding two small obelisks that settled in the river bed 10 km off Luxor as they were being shipped to Cairo by Maspero," said Mahrous.