Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt


The Hellenic Institute for the Research of Alexandrian Culture (H.R.I.A.C), directed by archaeologist Kalliopi Papakostas, has discovered ancient buildings and a bridge in the Shalallat Gardens area in Alexandria, Egypt.

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
The Ptolemaic public building, where the carved tunnel has been discovered, was located in 2015 
[Credit: ANA/MNA]
According to the Athens Macedonia News Agency, excavations in the area have been ongoing for 21 years and archaeologists have now unearthed a long carved tunnel at a depth of 10 metres that sheds new light on the large public building from the Ptolemaic period that was found in 2015.

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
The Ptolemaic public building, where the carved tunnel has been discovered, 
was located in 2015 [Credit: ANA/MNA]
Though its boundaries have yet to be revealed the building, which is thought to have had an arched ceiling, is of massive proportions.

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
Excavation in the Shallalat Gardens in Alexandria, Egypt 
[Credit: ANA/MNA]
“This is a very significant discovery, because in antiquity the site currently being researched was part of the Royal Quarters of the Ptolemies, whose buildings are described in ancient sources”, she told AMNA.

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
View of the excavation in the Shallalat Gardens in Alexandria, Egypt 
[Credit: ANA/MNA]
The Greek archaeologist added that these excavations are the result of a private initiative, as the funding of the excavations is largely based on private institutions and sponsors, the most important of which is the Greek company KLEOS SA and the Egyptian company RELIANCE GROUP OF COMPANIES, along with the MOHEB KASSABGUI FOUNDATION..

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
During the excavation, many new finds have come to light which will be added 
to the existing ones [Credit: ANA/MNA]
The excavation continues with extraordinary finds that include pottery, coins and mosaic floors. Perhaps the most important discovery is a unique Hellenistic marble statue of Alexander the Great, which is currently exhibited in the National Museum of Alexandria.

Ptolemaic buildings and bridge unearthed in Alexandria, Egypt
Marble statue of Alexander the Great found in the Shallalat Gardens in Alexandria 
in earlier excavations [Credit: ANA/MNA]
The Hellenic Research Institute of Alexandrian Civilization is a non-profit organization with its headquarters in Athens and an annex in Alexandria, whose aim is the archaeological research and study of Hellenic Culture outside Greece and specifically the study and research of the Hellenistic Alexandrian period.

Source: AMNA [July 14, 2017]

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