WORCESTER, Mass. – In the fall of 1994, a team of archaeological scuba divers entered the waters off of Alexandria, Egypt. Working beneath the surface they searched the bottom of the sea with sophisticated technological devices searching for ancient Alexandria, and the ruins of the Great Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Celebrated marine archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur was there.
On Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Rehm Library at Holy Cross he will discuss recent archaeological work at Alexandria in a lecture, titled "Alexandria, the Beacon of the Greek World: Recent Discoveries Underwater and On Dry Land."
Founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, it is theorized that Alexandria sunk into the ocean after a series of earthquakes. Since underwater excavations began at Alexandria, less than 10 years ago, over 26 sphinxes as well as other ancient artifacts have been removed from the water.
Empereur is a director of research at France's National Center for Scientific Research and director of the Center for Alexandrian Studies, which he founded in 1990. The author of Alexandria Rediscovered, he was recently featured on PBS' NOVA and on the Discovery Channel.
Emperuer's visit is sponsored by the Holy Cross Classics department, the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation USA University Seminars Program, and the Hellenic Arts Society of Worcester.
For additional information contact the Classics department at 508-793-2547.
Marine Archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur to Share Discoveries from Ancient Egyptian Sunken City at Holy Cross
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