On Monday 8 December, archaeologists discovered the wreck of a 2,000-year-old ancient Egyptian pleasure boat off the coast of Alexandria, further enriching our understanding of the region’s maritime history. The vessel, measuring over 35 meters in length, was located near the submerged island of Antirhodos, a significant site that was part of Alexandria’s expansive port, Portus Magnus. This discovery aligns with descriptions from the first-century Greek historian Strabo, who documented similar boats used by the royal court for leisure activities. The pleasure boat’s construction, characterized by a luxuriously decorated cabin and designed to navigate shallow waters, offers invaluable insights into the engineering and social customs of its time. Initial examinations suggest that it may have required more than 20 rowers for propulsion, emphasizing its role as a vessel for not just transportation but also entertainment and celebration. Franck Goddio, director of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), stated that this marks the first time such a boat has been discovered in Egypt, previously only depicted in literature and artistic representations. The excavation team has also noted the presence of Greek graffiti on the boat, which may date back to…
