Divers recover ancient Egyptiant treasure

An ancient Egyptian stone ‘anchor’ — believed to be 3,000 years old — and adorned with hieroglyphics has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Girne by divers from Nautilus Scuba Diving School under the ‘leadership’ of Cyprus International University (CIU)

AN ANCIENT Egyptian stone “anchor” adorned with hieroglyphics has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Girne.

The artefact, believed to be 3,000 years old, was retrieved from the seabed by divers from Nautilus Scuba Diving School under the “leadership” of Cyprus International University (CIU) and with the permission of the Antiquities and Museums Department, it was announced on Monday.

According to a written statement by CIU, the university “pioneered” the “extraction operation” of the object.

The ancient anchor was transferred to the state conservation laboratory in Lefkoşa under the supervision of Antiquities and Museums Department archaeologist Bural Karataş, CIU’s Prof Dr Müge Şevketoğlu and Tevfik Camgöz, the owner of Alsancak-based Nautilus Scuba Diving School who made the remarkable discovery.

The ancient anchor “most probably belonged to an Egyptian ship”, Prof Şevketoğlu said, adding that it was “unique” as it was the first ever stone anchor with such intricate hieroglyphic inscriptions to be found in the Mediterranean.

The anchor may have originally been used as a tombstone or a monument in ancient

Egypt and the inscriptions could have “religious” meanings, Prof Şevketoğlu stated.

It was then used for a “second purpose” which was a “common practice of the time”.

Efforts to “decode” the hieroglyphic symbols have been launched, Prof Şevketoğlu said, adding that any new findings will be shared via “scientific publications and informative conferences”.

Stone anchors were used in the Bronze Age as a “tool to secure ships against currents or in stormy weather”, according to Prof Şevketoğlu.

Ancient stone anchors with “few letters on them” had been previously found in the “two important Late Bronze Age settlements of Cyprus, Enkomi and Kition, and in temples” she added.

“Following research it was established that the anchors in the temples were left as an offering in religious ceremonies to protect sailors and their precious cargo,” Prof Şevketoğlu said.

The latest find had been discovered several years ago by Mr Camgöz but could not be retrieved until recently as special permission was required from the authorities, Prof Şevketoğlu explained.

“It is a crime for anyone who is not an archaeologist and who does not obtain the required scientific competence, and permission from the relevant ministry, to excavate in accordance with the Antiquities Law,” she said.

Mr Camgöz has made a “great contribution to the protection and extraction of the stone anchor, due to his National Geographic and Nautical Archaeology Society certificates” she stressed.

Antiquities and Museums Department director Emine Pilli praised Prof Şevketoğlu, Mr Camgöz and underwater cameramen Cevdet Aydınova, Şahap Tokatlı, Ümit Eşmeoğlu and Zhanay Amanov who filmed a YouTube video of the anchor’s retrieval.

“It is a legal obligation to report discovered historical artefacts to the Department of Antiquities and Museums Department,” Ms Pilli said.

“The necessary steps will be taken in order to find the financial support for the display of the ancient Egyptian stone anchor.”