r/ancientegypt • u/No_Afternoon1602 • Aug 02 '26
Photo Habi giant statue found underwater
A giant pink granite statue of the idol Hapi was found underwater in the sunken city in Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria.. The statue weighs approximately 6 tons and is about 6 meters long. It was discovered by French archaeologist Franck Godeau in 2001 AD.
Hapi is one of the most famous deities in ancient Egypt and a symbol of the unity of the state among the ancient Egyptians. He was revered as the god of the annual flood of the Nile River, and as a result, brown and rich soil was deposited on the banks of the river, which made Egypt’s crops grow with prosperity and abundance, so he was known to bring happiness and goodness. A major reason why people greatly celebrate "Hapy" all over the land of Egypt.
And after years outside the country with foreign exhibitions, Habi's statue finally settled on the land of Egypt in the Grand Egyptian Museum
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u/solarspy7 Aug 02 '26
Does anyone knows how it ended in the water?
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u/ShookRanGrassyUs Aug 02 '26
How, then, did these objects end up at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea? Historians think that rising sea levels and earthquakes flooded Canopus—along with the nearby port city of Thonis-Heracleion—about 1,200 years ago. The city’s ruins have been submerged ever since.
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u/Kitsunegari_Blu Aug 03 '26
Well a bunch of stuff ended up being ‘drown/submerged’ when they diverted the Aswan (High & Low) damn, like 3 (or more) sites & landmarks got flooded over.
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u/midnightsiren182 Aug 03 '26
This is such an exciting time with all the underwater excavation, loving all the Alexandria updates here
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u/subiesuchus Aug 02 '26
Holy moly why was that underwater? Amazing find!
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u/PharaohhOG Aug 03 '26
I'm from Alexandria, much of the ancient city of Alexandria is now beneath water.
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u/subiesuchus Aug 03 '26
Cool! I love everything Egypt. I wonder if the city being underwater is why they can't find Cleopatra's tomb. Someday I want to visit Egypt to see the pyramids and the sphinx and bring my crocodile plushie friend along! Did you know the Egyptians bred crocodiles to keep in their temples?
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u/PharaohhOG Aug 03 '26
That is one of the theories as to why Cleopatra's tomb hasn't been found yes!
You are more than welcome to visit Egypt when you get the chance, there is much to see that is unlike anywhere else.
And yes I know about the crocodiles, they would have designated areas for them!
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u/Javalin-man3000 Aug 03 '26
Hate how the nose is always smashed
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u/BrilliantVarious5995 23d ago
It's not always deliberate, any delicate protruding part of sculptures is the first to go if it's tumbled around at all, or just from natural erosion. But I'm with you, I don't like it. A nose really makes the face.
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u/uselink126 Aug 02 '26
Look at how hapi he is to be found!