Ancient Egyptian City Goes on Display

Marina, in Egypt, is a city best known as a resort for the rich and famous members of Egyptian society

. The exclusive tourist mecca also happens to have a very illustrious past and this month is unveiling to the public a set of ruins that were part of an ancient port city named Leukaspis that was mostly destroyed in a tsunami in the 4th century A.D. The city was nearly forgotten until the 1980s when construction for the resorts unearthed the ruins.

After 25 of excavation, the ruins are now open to the public and display what is left of a thriving city that flourished in the Classical Age. 200 acres were set aside for preservation and a team of Polish archaeologists have been gradually unearthing the ruins, revealing a prosperous city that was a major export center. Ships carrying olives, wine, grain and livestock were responsible for bringing wealth to the city whose population at its peak is estimated to have been around 15,000 people. The ruins include 2 story mansions that were the homes of rich merchants, Greco-Roman columns and architecture and a highly-developed system of sewers, rain-collecting plumbing and water storage facilities.

The city's center is part of the preserved ruins and on display are tombs, bathhouses and a basilica that became a Christian church in the early A.D. period. The city began to flourish as a way-station on the trade route between Egypt and Libya, and later began exporting goods from the surrounding region. The ruins offer a glimpse into a period of Egyptian history which is often overlooked in favor of the period when the Pyramids were built. The city was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami generated by a huge earthquake near Crete in 365 A.D., which also engulfed nearby Alexandria and other coastal cities. The subsequent collapse of the Roman Empire also contributed to the general decline of the cities along the coast of Egypt.

Marina will now be known for its history and may begin to attract more foreigners to the area. The tourism industry has revitalized Egypt's coast and there are many destinations that beckon visitors from abroad as well as those who call Egypt home. Inexpensive travel, resort packages and cheap calls to Egypt make it a popular choice to holiday seekers and history buffs. Now there is yet another reason to visit the ancient and beautiful country.

Ancient Egyptian City Goes on Display

By: Adrian Fisher

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