Pharaonic engravings discovered submerged under the Nile

Sunken treasures discovered in the murky waters of the Nile intrigue archaeologists.

During an underwater expedition near Aswan, a French-Egyptian team uncovered rock engravings depicting several pharaohs, accompanied by hieroglyphic inscriptions. These artifacts were submerged by the construction of the Aswan High Dam between 1960 and 1970.


The expedition aimed to document submerged ancient objects using technologies such as photogrammetry to create 3D models of the found objects. These techniques allow the virtual preservation of this sunken heritage, which was not saved in time during UNESCO's major campaign before the region's flooding.

Aswan, a key city in ancient Egypt near the southern border, is home to significant temples like Abu Simbel and the Philae complex, highlighting its historical importance. The recently unearthed sculptures date from the reigns of Amenhotep III, Thutmose IV, Psamtik II, and Apries, spanning the 18th to 26th dynasties, confirming the historical wealth of this area.

Experts emphasize that these discoveries suggest that a substantial portion of the archaeological heritage survived the flooding, contrary to initial predictions. Testimonials from scholars not involved in the study, such as Jitse Dijkstra and William Carruthers, support the potential importance of these findings, though further research is necessary to assess their full significance.