Breaking News: Discovery of Egypt’s “Atlantis”: Temple ruins and a ship full of treasures unearthed after 2,200 years.

A MYSTERIOUS temple has been discovered among the ruins of an ancient sunken city described as the “Egyptian Atlantis”.

Heracleion, off the northern coast of Egypt, sank into the sea about 1,200 years ago and was lost for centuries until divers stumbled upon what remained of it in 2000.

Since then, studies have been made of its extensive ruins, although we still do not know much about the once great port city.

Now archaeologists have announced a series of surprising new finds at the underwater site.

They have discovered the remains of a Greek temple, as well as several ships full of treasures such as coins and jewels.

Ancient columns, 2,000-year-old pottery and bronze coins from the reign of King Ptolemy II (283 to 246 BC) were also found.

11The lost city of Heracleion in Egypt was abandoned about 1,200 years ago

A hoard of bronze coins was also found at the site. Credit: Christoph Gerigk/FrankGoddio/Hilti Foundation

Heracleion is mentioned in some ancient texts, but was thought to be the stuff of legend for over a millennium.

Situated at the entrance to the Nile River, the city was said to be Egypt’s main international trading port, with imposing statues, huge temples and a maze of bustling canals.

In one of the largest archaeological finds in history, a French scientist rediscovered the sunken city in the 1990s.

Buried beneath centuries of Nile silt, many of the ruins and artifacts pulled from its murky depths remain perfectly preserved thousands of years later.

Underwater archaeologists have used a high-tech scanning device to uncover new parts of the ancient settlements, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities reported this week.

Sections of the city’s main temple were revealed, as well as a handful of new ports, helping the team expand their ever-growing map of the ancient city.

Artist’s impression of Heracleion. The city was crisscrossed by canals that allowed ships to pick up goods on their way to and from the Nile. Credit: Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation, Graphic: Yann Bernard

A bronze coin found at Heracleion. Credit: Christoph Gerigk/FrankGoddio/Hilti Foundation

11Scientists examining a sunken building in Heracleion. Credit: Christoph Gerigk/FrankGoddio/Hilti Foundation

Jewels, coins and tableware were found in shipwrecks dating back to the 4th century BC.

Heracleion is believed to have been lost in the ocean for several centuries.

Earthquakes and tsunamis hit the ancient port, saturating the sediment beneath its foundations and causing buildings to collapse.

Rising sea levels then gradually swallowed the city until it was abandoned in the 8th century AD, approximately 1,000 years after its construction.

An ancient statue removed from Heracleion as part of the research. Credit: Franck Goddio / Hilti Foundation

The team has been exploring the site for 15 years. Credit: Franck Goddio / Hilti Foundation

Several other settlements in the region suffered a similar fate, including the nearby sunken city of Canopus.

As part of their work, archaeologists found the remains of several buildings at Canopus, expanding their map of the settlement.

The team plans to publish their findings in an academic journal.

Over the past 15 years, they have found 64 ships, 700 anchors, a hoard of gold coins, 16-foot-high statues and the remains of a massive temple to the god Amun-Gereb at Heracleion.

There are hundreds of artifacts still buried at Heracleion. Credit: AP: Associated Press

The artifacts found at the site have been preserved by centuries of Nile silt. Credit: Hilti Foundation

The mysterious skeleton of a teenage girl was found “squatting” next to bull skulls at an ancient Egyptian pyramid in February.

Last November, an ancient Egyptian coffin was opened for the first time in 3,000 years to reveal the mummy of a priest.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the sacred droppings of dung beetles held the secret to immortality.

What else do you think archaeologists will find at Heracleion? Let us know in the comments!