In ancient Egypt, the affluent class enjoyed luxurious trips along the Nile on opulent pleasure barges long before the era of modern-day superyacht parties hosted by today’s billionaires.
Recently, archaeologists have made a significant discovery off the coast of Alexandria. They believe they have found one of these lavish vessels from ancient times, shedding new light on a historical era previously only depicted in art and ancient texts.
Marine archaeologist Franck Goddio from the University of Oxford expressed his excitement, stating that uncovering a previously unstudied and undiscovered boat is always a thrilling experience.
The finding, part of underwater expeditions led by Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry for Antiquities, has been documented and published by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology.
Exploring the Lavish Vessel
The wooden vessel, believed to date back to the early first century AD, was located near the island of Antirhodos, connected to the ancient port of Alexandria.
Measuring approximately 35 meters in length with capacity for around 20 rowers, the barge featured a grand pavilion at its center, likely adorned with rich decorations and luxury elements. Designed for river travel rather than seafaring, it would have navigated the channel between Alexandria and Canopus on the Nile.
Of particular note is the vessel’s unique architecture, characterized by a flat-bottomed bow combined with a rounded stern, a distinctive feature aligning with historical depictions of pleasure barges known as thalamegos.
Historical records, including the revered Nile mosaic of Palestrina and writings by Greek historian Strabo, describe similar vessels engaged in leisure activities and elaborate festivities.
Caroline Arbuckle MacLeod, an Egyptologist at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasized the rarity and significance of this discovery, suggesting it could be the first preserved pleasure craft of ancient Egypt ever found.
According to MacLeod, these ancient Egyptian pleasure barges served as predecessors to modern-day yachts, offering royal figures and elites leisurely journeys along the Nile.
Possible Religious Significance
Goddio, cautious about definitive conclusions, proposed an alternative theory suggesting the vessel could have been associated with the nearby temple of Isis, a revered deity embodying various aspects of magic and fertility.
He speculated that the boat might have been utilized for religious ceremonies, with the central pavilion potentially replaced by a small temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Natural disasters around AD 50, including earthquakes and tidal waves, could have led to the vessel’s sinking and subsequent preservation under sediment layers.
Regardless of its exact purpose, MacLeod emphasized the vessel’s importance in maritime archaeology, highlighting the Nile’s historical significance as a vital passage for trade, transportation, and leisure activities.
Goddio’s team conducted thorough research on the vessel, including wood sampling for dating and creating detailed 3D models. Following preservation guidelines, the barge remains submerged, awaiting potential future decisions by the Egyptian authorities on its conservation.
For now, the vessel will rest undisturbed, as Goddio emphasized the complexity and challenges involved in any potential future extraction efforts to ensure its continued preservation.