Archaeologists have discovered three sunken shipwrecks dating back more than 2,000 years off the coast of Egypt.
Among the haul of treasures uncovered in the harbour city of Alexandria, was a crystal bust that may depict the famous Roman general Marc Antony.
Experts believe a fourth wreck may be found, following the discovery of large wooden planks and pottery that may have come from the ship’s cargo.
Archaeologists have discovered three sunken shipwrecks dating back more than 2,000 years off the coast of Egypt. Among the haul of artefacts uncovered in the harbour of the city of Alexandria, was a bust that may depict the famous Roman general Marc Antony
The finds were made in Abu Qir Bay, during excavations by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities’ Underwater Archaeology Department and the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology.
The royal head bust head sculpture is carved from from crystal an is thought to portray a likeness of Marcus Antonius, hero of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra.
Three gold coins dating back to Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, were also discovered around 12 miles (20 km) off the coast.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Mostafa Waziri, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said: ‘The excavations indicate that a fourth vessel is likely to be found during the coming working season.
‘This season, the expedition has uncovered large beams and planks as well as an archaeological remains of pottery vessels that may represent the cargo of the vessel.’
Marcus Antonius, or Marc Antony, is best known as the Roman general who was a lover of Cleopatra.
Antony’s romantic and political alliance with the Egyptian queen became his downfall.
The two committed suicide after their defeat by Octavian, later known as Augustus.
Roman politician Antony was an ally of Julius Caesar and the main rival of his successor Octavian.
Three gold coins dating back to Rome’s first emperor, Augustus, who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD, were also discovered around 12 miles (20 km) off the coast.
Experts believe a fourth wreck may be uncovered, following the discovery of large wooden planks and pottery that may have come from the ship’s cargo. This image shows a votive bark, or boat, depicting the pharaonic god Osiris, found at the submerged city of Heracleion
The finds were made in Abu Qir Bay, during excavations by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities’ Underwater Archaeology Department and the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology
The passing of power between the three men led to Rome’s transition from a republic to an empire.
A votive bark, or boat, depicting the pharaonic god Osiris, was found at the site of the submerged ancient city of Heracleion, dubbed the Atlantis of Egypt.
Enormous statues, golden jewellery and hieroglyphic tablets have previously been uncovered at the location.
Enormous statues, golden jewellery and hieroglyphic tablets have previously been uncovered at the site. This image shows a diver securing a 5.4m (18 ft) statue of Hapy, a divine personification of the Nile floods, to be lifted out of the waters
Diver Franck Goddio poses with an inscribed tablet he found in the ruins of Heracleion in Aboukir Bay, Egypt. The slab, which is 1.9m tall, is inscribed with the decree of Saϊs, which levied a tax on imports from Greece
Ancient texts record the existence of the settlements of Heracleion and Canopus, cities built on the shifting ground of the Nile delta, which were buried beneath three metres of silt.
They were the gateway to Egypt before Alexandria rose to prominence.
But the two trading hubs were lost – literally – to the sands of time until a chance discovery in 1996.
Divers in the mouth of the Nile unearthed the treasures, and have spent almost two decades since painstakingly dredging them out of the deep.