imagine discovering the secrets to the world of Antiquities buried at the bottom of the Nile for over 3,000 years and our story starts with an amazing find just south of Aswan so what were these scientists finding in the riverbeds and why were these Treasures down there join us as we dive into the mystery of the rock carvings of ancient Egyptian pharaohs submerged in the Nile now number one the discovery an Egyptian French archaeological team has discovered submerged ancient Rock Engravings of powerful Egyptian pharaohs embellished with hieroglyphic inscriptions from the River Nile near Aswan Egypt dating
back to the Middle Kingdom the inscriptions were submerged after the construction of the azwan High Dam between 1960 and 1970 the team was determined however to un Veil and record these underwater Treasures the team plunged deep into the waters revealing carvings of pharaohs from the 18th to the 26th dynasties definitely a wide period in ancient Egypt's history among the rulers identified are the illustrious amenhotep II The Mighty thmo V the Strategic stic 2 and the formidable AIS to the researcher's amazement the carvings were incredibly well preserved offering a stunning glimpse into Egypt's Rich history and
highlighting aswan's historical significance this exciting Discovery had generated a buzz in the international archaeological Community the fresh wave of enthusiasm to learn more about the ancient pharaohs and their artistic achievements it offers then brighter Horizons for the future of egyptology with all the potential for startling new finds to deepen our understanding of one of the world's most fascinating [Music] civilizations number two awan's history Aswan was an essential City in ancient Egypt located to the South and many times serving as a border of the country the city has played an important role in many aspects of
its civilization the granite quaries at Aswan are the pride and backbone of the city good quality Stone from these quaries was used in constructing most of the country's most renowned monuments such as obelisks statues temples and so on that made the big buildings which a us up to this day but Aswan was not just about its quaries it represented an important military and trading center located close to the southern border it often served as a Garrison town to ensure the protection of the frontiers of Egypt the Nile passing through made it a busy place for
trade that connects Egypt with its neighbors from the south in addition Aswan was the location of significant religious constructions such as the temple complex at filii dedicated to Isis the goddess that is why Aswan was an extremely important site in terms of culture and spirituality within ancient Egyptian [Music] life number three the Aswan High Dam building the Awan High Dam between 1960 and 1970 was an immense task that certainly changed the topography and archaeological wealth of the region forever representing one of the largest embankment dams in the world its basic objective was to regulate the
flows and floods of the River Nile the advantages were apparent improved irrigation facilities great power harnessed for electricity production and thus development but then all this came at Great costs and in creating the huge reservoir of Lake NASA endless archaeological sites and treasures could not be moved before they were submerged Forever This submerged area would now act as a safe deposit of ancient Treasures kept there until today knowing that time was slipping away the world of archaeology was mobilized in a desperate heroic attempt attempt to save as much of this Heritage as possible this Salvage
operation became one of the biggest in the history of archology an urgent mission in a Race Against Time To Save what was left of a civilization whose relics lay strewn across the banks of the Nile number four unesco's Salvage campaign long before the rising of the waters behind the Aswan High Dam UNESCO was organized izing a magnificent mission to rescue the archaeological patrimony of the area this project known as the Nubian Salvage campaign went on to become one of the most extensive Salvage missions ever undertaken in the history of archaeology the floodwaters stimulated the International
Community and both archaeologists and experts from various Fields began to take part in this expedition in response the campaign focused on do documenting Excavating and physically relocating vital monuments and artifacts to safer grounds an effort marked by remarkable achievements one of the most extraordinary accomplishments was of the Abu symbol temples these structures of Egypt's cultural heritage were carefully cut into large blocks and transported to a new site above the floodline a Marvel of modern engineering and preservation this amazing achievement became became one of history's most celebrated archaeological missions in addition to saving well-known monuments the
campaign revealed and documented several previously unknown sites and artifacts including ancient settlements and religious structures significantly increasing our understanding of Nubian and Egyptian civilizations unfortunately several valuables were lost to the rising floods despite all attempts due to the difficulties of the undertak all the same the Nubian Salvage campaign is a monument to human Ingenuity and commitment to maintaining our history number five the underwater archaeological team French and Egyptian scientists work together to discover the old fonic rock Engravings during an underwater trip the team consisted of archaeologists and divers to facilitate the the French Mission invited
Experts of the Supreme Council of Antiquities because they are well-versed with the great history of Egypt the head of the French party was Dr Chris cion a specialist in underwater archaeology and documentation affiliated with Paul Valerie University in Mont peler what were they attempting to achieve investigate and record the archaeological finds concealed behind the Aswan High Dam's flood waters diving to extreme depths where these ancient Engravings had been submerged for decades was necessary to complete this work the team's work demanded not only archaeological skill but also highlevel diving techniques the team had high resolution underwater
cameras Lighting systems and specialized tools for cleaning and examination they would document every single one of their findings their commitment turned a difficult underwater chall into a historical moment shedding new light on the secrets of Egypt's past number six methodology of the Expedition a technological miracle was the underwater archaeological excavation near Aswan utilizing an array of state-of-the-art methods the team preserved ancient history by studying and recording the submerged Rock sculptures they used underwater photog phography and videography using specialized cameras designed to work deep underwater the team succeeded in getting some amazing close-ups of the carvings
these images aided in the creation of thorough result reports and were crucial to the analysis process photogrametry really caught our attention by taking several pictures of the stonework from various angles and using sophisticated software to process them this creative method produced es very identical 3D digital models photogrametry allowed the team to record every aspect of the Engravings these three-dimensional renderings not only allowed for flawless digital reproductions of every Relic but also allowed for close examination and Analysis of each one without requiring additional dives by using these methods the team was able to save aswan's ancient
history and conserve them for future generations to study number seven carvings of Amon hotep II Aman hotep II governed Egypt from about 1390 to 1352 BCE and his Engravings were among the most exciting finds of the undersea Expedition historians find these carvings especially interesting because of the extraordinary prosperity and creative accomplishments that characterized his Reign these underwater artifacts depict the Pharaoh in various Regal poses honoring his might and Heavenly rank Aman hotep thei was renowned for both his diplomatic triumphs and his enormous architectural projects which included parts of both the luxa temple and his spectacular
funeral Temple these Engravings near azwan indicate that his influence and memorials went further south than previously believed the inscriptions on the carvings despite considerable erosion provide fascinating perspectives about Amon hotep's official discourse and highlight the magnitude and Grandeur of his legacy number eight carvings of Thutmose the four intriguing sculptures of thmo the four the ruler of Egypt from approximately 14400 to 1390 BCE were also discovered by the Expedition despite being relatively brief his rule was notable for important developments in Egyptian history probably the most well-known artifact belonging to thmo the four is known as the
dream stery that describes how he was chosen by God to become Pharaoh the underwater sculptures provide an uncommon and captivating look at ways thmo maoy was portrayed in the southern regions of his realm the Pharaoh is depicted in the carvings in conventional positions of authority presumably from the early periods of his rule during which he began to establish his authority the position of these Engravings is what makes them more fascinating Aswan located on Egypt's Southern border was essential for establishing Royal Authority thmo before was determined to make a lasting impression on this strategically significant area
as seen by the presence of his carvings here accompanying hieroglyphs suggest military or diplomatic activity in the region although being partially veiled by millennia underw water these results are forcing Scholars to re-evaluate the scope of thuto Wan's actions and influence in Upper Egypt and Nubia which could change our perception of his Rule and its effects on Egyptian Nubian Relations number nine carvings of stic 2 the unexpected discovery of carvings depicting stic the coup who ruled Egypt from approximately 595 to 589 BCE thrilled archaeologists samk taku a pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty during Egypt's late period
reigned at a time when Egypt was striving to maintain its independence against powerful neighbors these Engravings discovered close to Aswan are especially noteworthy since they offer hard proof of stic lku actions in Upper Egypt an area where his existence was previously less well doed dou umented the Engravings depict samti theu in traditional fonic garb emphasizing his status as Egypt's legitimate ruler the rather worn inscriptions that accompany it refer to building projects or military activities which is in line with historical narratives that samk II set out for Nubia early in his Reign the 26 Dynasty's military
and political reach is being re-evaluated in light of these discoveries which show that Egyptian pharaohs continued actively projecting their influence to the southern boundaries of their domain even during this late period number 10 carvings of apris Engravings of pharaoh apries who ruled over the Egyptians during the 26th Dynasty from 589 to 570 BCE were also found by the underwater Expedition APR whose Greek name Miss hofra was a prominent biblical icon's contemporaries who had a significant influence on geopolitics in his day the Engravings depict AIS wearing conventional fonic Garb emphasizing the Divine Right to govern the
fact that these Engravings are in Aswan and not in the Delta area which apris predominantly governed is what makes them so remarkable these Engravings provide important new insights into apr's attempts to project Authority and legitimize his Reign at a period when Egypt was under intense external pressure especially from the expanding Babylonian Empire number 11 the art of hieroglyphics in addition to showing pharaohs The Rock carvings found close to Aswan also contain hieroglyphic writings that provide a wealth of data for Scholars grasp Egypt's cultural and historical significance requires a grasp of Egyptian hieroglyphic a system of
writing that was in use for more than 3,000 years throughout the nation the inscriptions that go with these fonic statues show interesting background details about the events or objectives that the artwork is intended to honor experts are actively studying these hieroglyphs in the hopes of learning more about the ancient significance that surrounds the Aswan region as well as the Reigns of the Pharaohs that are represented number 12 collaboration with local communities the effectiveness of all the efforts depends on the collaboration and support of the local people in order to ensure the success of the project
the research team has been collaborating actively with the local people and administration of Aswan by fostering positive relationships with the local community the team is assisting in the conservation and preservation of the findings this collaborative approach raises awareness of the need of safeguarding cultural treasures and encourages local participation in conservation efforts number 13 preservation of the carvings these historic submerged works of art pose special difficulties these historic artifacts in contrast to those discovered on land have been buried for many years and are vulnerable to water erosion and milu these relics are now submerged thus the
archaeological crew is continuously recording and safeguarding them all immediate efforts are focused on carefully cleaning and conserving the carvings in order to prevent further degradation long-term preservation strategies are being developed by conservation experts working together these might entail moving significant parts to land or using specialized underwater equipment to stop more water corrosion to the items additionally to protect the sculptures the researchers are thinking of constructing underwater boxes to keep track of the sculptures condition over time and ensure that they are preserved for future Generations regular diving trips will be conducted number 14 the role of
technology in archaeology the Aswan research emphasizes how important modern technology is to archaeologists the researchers used a number of advanced instruments in beside photo pretry to further their analysis highdef camera equipped underwater robots surveyed potential SES and performed a quick sight inspection these remotely operated Vehicles rovs allowed the team to explore areas which human explorers would find too dangerous or difficult to easily access in order to produce comprehensive maps of the bottom landscape to Aid in the identification of possible location of Interest prior to the divers entering the water Advanced sonar equipment was also employed
this improved the excursions Effectiveness and the safety for the diving crew in order to evaluate the massive amount of collected visual data researchers used machine learning and artificial intelligence this helped create correlations in the inscriptions and Engravings which the human eye would miss can be uncovered which might lead lead to the discovery of previously undisclosed information the Awan deep sea mission is transforming archaeological beliefs by bringing the Lost history of ancient societies to light with Clarity using new technology number 15 the granite quaries of Awan when the area's well-known Granite quaries are taken into consideration
the underwater Engravings close to Awan become even more significant because azwan was well known for producing fine Granite all through ancient Egyptian history these granites were utilized to construct many of Egypt's most famous structures these sculptures were found close to the quaries which implies a clear connection between the area's economic significance and its use in Royal publicity and Remembrance Granite from aswan's quaries was used in Egypt's obelisks sculptures and AR Architectural Components these enormous stone blocks required extraordinary engineering to Quarry and transport as several tomb murals and reliefs illustrate researchers are examining many of the
hieroglyphs that were discovered to see whether they make any mention of stone Transportation or quarrying techniques these discoveries can show the manner in which Pharos celebrated their wealth and Authority it can also highlight the link connecting aswan's economic success and its religious and political significance number 16 Abu simbel and fili temples the underwater fines near Aswan become much more relevant when seen in the context of the famed temples of fili and Abu simbel in the neighborhood Abu simbel is a monument to the magnificence of fonic architecture and the strength of the Pharaohs adorned with enormous
sculptures of mess aou these temples which were once set into a hillside were notably moved in the 1960s to protect them from Lake NASA's increasing Waters the recently found underwater Engravings could give light on the larger background of the area's massive construction devoted to the Goddess Isis the temple complex known as feli or the pearl of Egypt like Abu simble it was moved to a higher position during the construction of the Aswan on High Dam one of the Temple's most notable hieroglyphic inscriptions is the last known inscription in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs dating to 394 ad
there are also the Magnificent temples of Abu simble and fi these are precious artifacts that needed a lot of work to be done on them for their conservation they give more complete insight into the cultural and religious background of the area and explain how all these amazing constructions fit into the big picture of ancient Egypt number 17 challenges of underwater archaeology the Aswan mission is an example of some of the specific challenges experienced by underwater archaeologists in many cases visibility is hampered because silt and detrius are easily Disturbed and Cloud features considering the restrictions placed
upon Air Supply and physical exertion in working underwater divers perform at a high level of efficiency preparation and Equipment are specifically designed for the task because pressure at depth can also have implications for human physiology and Equipment performance another serious challenge is the effects of water on archaeological Remains the constant exposure makes inscriptions and sculptures deteriorate one form of biological growth is algae that may alter the features and even damage the artifacts the fast currents as well are harmful to the team that can make delicate work a dangerous and very difficult thing to do not
withstanding these challenges studying sites and artifacts that have been shielded from many of the elements that cause degradation at landbased sites such as weathering and human interference offers a rare opportunity for underwater archaeology research archaeologists can find well-preserved artifacts and learn new things about past civilizations because the underwater environment maintains materials in a manner the terrestrial environments frequently cannot number 18 insights from the carvings The Rock Engravings which are discovered near to azwan provide a fascinating window into the lives of several important pharaohs of ancient Egypt each sculpture tells a story about power dedication and
Heritage and is more than just an artistic work it is literally history embedded in stone together these sculptures paint a vivid picture of the pharaoh's Reigns and provide important insights into their religious views leadership styles and contributions to Egypt's lasting Legacy number 19 future prospects future archaeological research in the area has received greater prospects after the successful Aswan underwater Expedition the fine sculptures discovered reveal that many more Treasures may still lie beneath the Waters of Lake NASA full research is already under consideration in such underwater zones striving to draw a precise vision of the Aquatic
world with the help of the latest Technologies in remote sensing the same or closely related underwater archaeological methods are now being increasingly used to explore the other submerged sites located at intervals along the banks of the River Nile the azwan Expedition has paved the way for a new era of underwater exploration promising to reveal even more secrets of our ancient past number 20 the legacy of ancient Egypt these underwater sculptures found near Aswan serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of ancient Egyptian culture even after being submerged for decades and thousands of years
these artifacts continue to unveil new details about Egypt's captivating history the Engravings showcase the pharaoh's far-reaching influence extending their Authority and propaganda beyond their Kingdom's borders the importance of further study about the ancient Egyptians in the modern world is underlined by this new finding every discovery has the potential to reshape our understanding of that Civilization not only its past but also its artistic achievements the collaboration of French and Egyptian experts on this Mission shows the interest in the saving and discovery of our common Heritage by every person across the globe the heritage of ancient Egypt
is evolving due to research of these underwater inscriptions and other discoveries which can bring a new perspective to one of the most intriguing civilizations in human history successive efforts have inspired future generations of archaeologists and historians thereby ensuring that the story of ancient Egypt will always be captivating and compelling do you think there's more to be found underwater let us know in the comments and don't forget to like And subscribe