- Title: EGYPT: Artefact of belonging to Cleopatra pulled out of Mediterranean Sea
- Date: 18th December 2009
- Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (REUTERS) (DECEMBER 17, 2009) EXTERIOR OF THE QAYTBAY FORT IN ALEXANDRIA SECRETARY-GENERAL OF EGYPT'S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES, DR. ZAHI HAWASS, WALKING ALONG BOARDWALK OF FORT HAWASS GIVING INTERVIEW (SOUNBITE) (ENGLISH) SECRETARY GENERAL OF EGYPT'S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES, DR. ZAHI HAWASS, SAYING: "The Greek expedition found over 400 pieces, the most important that tower of a pylon, that was part of the temple of Isis that was connected next door to the palace of Cleopatra and the tomb of Cleopatra. Because there is a piece of a door, a threshold, it could be a door of the, it's made of granite, thirteen tons weight of a seven meters door, of the tomb of Cleopatra, and we are going to take this piece out of the water in this coming May." WIDE OF PRESS AND OFFICIALS GATHERED NEAR CRANE THAT WILL TAKE GRANITE PIECE OF TOWER OUT OF SEA DIVER IN SEA AS ARTEFACT IS LIFTED OUT OF WATER PRESS STANDING ON WALL FILMING EVENT DIVER IN SEA AS ARTEFACT BEING LIFTED OUT OF WATER ARTEFACT IS LIFTED OUT OF WATER WIDE OF PRESS AND OFFICIALS GATHERED NEAR CRANE THAT WILL TAKE GRANITE PIECE OF TOWER OUT OF SEA VARIOUS OF WORKERS SURROUNDING ARTEFACT ON BOARDWALK CLOSE ON ARTEFACT WORKERS LOWERING ARTEFACT ONTO FLATBED TRUCK CLOSE ON ARTEFACT BEING LIFTED ARTEFACT BEING LOWERED ONTO TRUCK CLOSE ON ARTEFACT (SOUNBITE) (ENGLISH) SECRETARY GENERAL OF EGYPT'S SUPREME COUNCIL OF ANTIQUITIES, DR. ZAHI HAWASS, SAYING: "And that's why this piece that we are taking out it's very important of the history of Alexandria. We can know a lot about this temple of Isis and Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, because we are building right now a museum above the water and that museum will contain all of the artefacts that taken out of the water and this will be very important for the history of Alexandria." ARTEFACT ON TRUCK AND ZOOM OUT TO CRANE CLOSE ON ARTEFACT MEDIUM OF ARTEFACT ON TRUCK
- Embargoed: 2nd January 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Egypt
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: History
- Reuters ID: LVAELWN8TJGIRGWQGS1DL8S1YEQG
- Story Text: Archaeologists pull a giant granite tower that formed part of a temple out of the Mediterranean Sea, which is to be placed in a new museum for underwater artefacts.
Archaeologists in Egypt pulled a section of an ancient Egyptian pylon out of the Mediterranean seabed on Thursday (December 17) in Alexandria, calling the move an important step towards understanding of the history of the ancient port city.
The ruin, discovered 11 years ago by a Greek archaeological team, is thought to date to around 30 BC and to have formed part of a late Ptolemaic-era temple near the mausoleum of Cleopatra.
The head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass, said today that not only was this piece significant, but another artefact to be brought to the surface in May was potentially even more important.
"Greek expedition found over 400 pieces, the most important that tower of a pylon, that was part of the temple of Isis that was connected next door to the palace of Cleopatra and the tomb of Cleopatra. Because there is a piece of a door, a threshold, it could be a door of the, it's made of granite, thirteen tons weight of a seven meters door, of the tomb of Cleopatra, and we are going to take this piece out of the water in this coming May," he said.
The head of the Greek team that discovered the pylon section, Dr. Harry Talzaz, was significant because it was built at a crucial historical junction - when Greek supremacy gave way to Roman supremacy.
He also said that the nine ton, 2.25 meter pylon is constructed in a manner that suggests that architecture during the period was not entirely Greek, but Greek-Pharaohnic.
Cleopatra was the last Ptolemaic Pharaoh, and used alliances with powerful Roman figures, most notably Mark Anthony, to try and keep Egypt free from Roman domination.
Last April archaeologists said they were close to discovering the burial place of Anthony and Cleopatra near the temple of Taposiris Magna, roughly 50 kilometres west of Alexandria.
Dozens of journalists gathered for the unveiling of the section of the pylon brought out of the sea today, with Egypt's culture minister and other dignitaries attending the unveiling.
The artefact was discovered near Cape Lochias east of the location where it was pulled out from on Thursday.
Dr. Hawass said today that the pylon section would form an important part the Maritime Museum in Alexandria which is currently being renovated in order to house artefacts discovered near the sea floor.
"And that's why this piece that we are taking out it's very important of the history of Alexandria. We can know a lot about this temple of Isis and Cleopatra and Mark Anthony, because we are building right now a museum above the water and that museum will contain all of the artefacts that taken out of the water and this will be very important.
Among the other treasures discovered during the last 15 years in Alexandria are the ruins of the ancient city of Heraklion, as well as statues, temples, an ancient court and the palace of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony's home. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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