Heraklion … A myth that came to life and became a reality. Literally emerged from the bottom of the sea. Thousands of years later, his treasures came out of the water and millions of people watched how an amazing discovery brings a whole layer of history back to life.
The missing puzzle
The ancient city of Heraklion was known to many ancient Greek philosophers. Although its existence was not proven until the nineteenth century. And all because he did not leave any traces behind him. After a stormy and boiling life, the city simply took and disappeared, and disappeared without a trace. With its raising from the bottom of the sea, numerous mysteries have been solved. The missing pieces of jigsaw puzzles, of which there are a great many on the pages of history, surprisingly gathered together and became a whole picture.
Like most incredible discoveries, this was also done by accident. Maritime archaeologist Frank Boddio searched for warships that sank in the late 18th century along the coast of Alexandria. Desperate to find anything, he suddenly found the remnants of a thriving power that had existed in the third century BC. Until now, everyone considered her to be an invention. Scientists, after fruitless attempts, have lost hope of proving its existence.
What was Heraklion before?
It was a developed port. Located near the coast of Alexandria. Ships from Greece and other nearby powers flocked to it, and trade flourished here. And along with it the city flourished and grew rich. Here they gathered to know from everywhere, the holidays were held on a large scale and Cleopatra was crowned right here. Statues with her image were often found under water.
Among the items found were giant statues of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis and figures of a mysterious and unknown pharaoh. All of them are in surprisingly good condition.
But perhaps the most important of the discoveries are the numerous pillars with inscriptions and hieroglyphs, which, according to archaeologists, are in excellent condition and provide fertile ground for studying the culture, life and beliefs of the ancient settlers. About 600 rusty anchors were also raised to the surface. The researchers who began to study the city claim that the ancient sailors had a sign - upon returning from long voyages, drop anchor into the water. By offering him, thus, as a sacrifice to the gods. This was done for good luck in future travels.
Sudden doom
What happened to this powerful power? Why was she buried under water for many centuries? Scientists tend to think that the fate of Heraklion was tragic due to its geological position. A strong earthquake and tsunami destroyed the city. The water overflowed the banks and flooded it, consigning it to oblivion for several millennia. And only now, after the lapse of two thousand years, modern people managed to look through the slightly opened veil of secrecy at the ancient history of distant ancestors with one eye.
