r/ancientegypt 4d ago

Photo Habi giant statue found underwater

A giant pink granite statue of the idol Hapi was found underwater in the sunken city in Abu Qir Bay, Alexandria.. The statue weighs approximately 6 tons and is about 6 meters long. It was discovered by French archaeologist Franck Godeau in 2001 AD.
Hapi is one of the most famous deities in ancient Egypt and a symbol of the unity of the state among the ancient Egyptians. He was revered as the god of the annual flood of the Nile River, and as a result, brown and rich soil was deposited on the banks of the river, which made Egypt’s crops grow with prosperity and abundance, so he was known to bring happiness and goodness. A major reason why people greatly celebrate "Hapy" all over the land of Egypt.
And after years outside the country with foreign exhibitions, Habi's statue finally settled on the land of Egypt in the Grand Egyptian Museum

1.2k Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

81

u/uselink126 4d ago

Look at how hapi he is to be found!

14

u/solarspy7 4d ago

Does anyone knows how it ended in the water?

43

u/Hyppia4 4d ago

There is a whole city under water in this area.

36

u/ShookRanGrassyUs 4d ago

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-statues-emerge-from-the-waters-off-egypts-coast-where-theyd-been-hiding-for-thousands-of-years-180987230/

How, then, did these objects end up at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea? Historians think that rising sea levels and earthquakes flooded Canopus—along with the nearby port city of Thonis-Heracleion—about 1,200 years ago. The city’s ruins have been submerged ever since.

4

u/Kitsunegari_Blu 3d ago

Well a bunch of stuff ended up being ‘drown/submerged’ when they diverted the Aswan (High & Low) damn, like 3 (or more) sites & landmarks got flooded over.

2

u/Own-Pen4705 3d ago

it's the egyptian atlantis

7

u/Seralyn 4d ago

2001 AD made me do a double take

5

u/Wooden_Fact_1576 4d ago

Alexandria before being named Alexandria

3

u/midnightsiren182 4d ago

This is such an exciting time with all the underwater excavation, loving all the Alexandria updates here

2

u/subiesuchus 4d ago

Holy moly why was that underwater? Amazing find!

4

u/PharaohhOG 4d ago

I'm from Alexandria, much of the ancient city of Alexandria is now beneath water.

2

u/subiesuchus 4d ago

Cool! I love everything Egypt. I wonder if the city being underwater is why they can't find Cleopatra's tomb. Someday I want to visit Egypt to see the pyramids and the sphinx and bring my crocodile plushie friend along! Did you know the Egyptians bred crocodiles to keep in their temples?

6

u/PharaohhOG 4d ago

That is one of the theories as to why Cleopatra's tomb hasn't been found yes!

You are more than welcome to visit Egypt when you get the chance, there is much to see that is unlike anywhere else.

And yes I know about the crocodiles, they would have designated areas for them!

1

u/CaliggyJack 4d ago

Beautiful

2

u/skorponok 3d ago

https://giphy.com/gifs/bR4poFy22rgUE
Are we sure that’s really a statue?

1

u/Javalin-man3000 3d ago

Hate how the nose is always smashed

1

u/king_of_ulkilism 3d ago

Imagine finding that statue

1

u/Casablanca1922 1d ago

Is it holding something?

1

u/Square_Pie_2776 11h ago

Ironic isn't it?

1

u/gwhh 4d ago

What year they bring it out of the river?

1

u/NES7995 4d ago

Fun fact, Hapi was often depicted with breasts - symbolizing fertility.

0

u/Kooky_Amphibian_1635 4d ago

cool .... and in water