A remarkable underwater discovery has brought new attention to the ancient Egyptian bull deity, Apis. Hidden for millennia beneath the waters of the Nile Delta, an underwater archaeological expedition has unearthed a collection of statues, artifacts, and sacred relics dedicated to Apis, a revered god in ancient Egyptian religion associated with strength, fertility, and the afterlife.
The treasures, found near the submerged ruins of the ancient city of Heracleion, include intricately carved statues of bulls, gold amulets, and inscriptions praising the deity. Among the most significant finds is a life-sized statue of Apis, adorned with elaborate hieroglyphs and iconography linking the bull to Egyptian royalty. This discovery adds to the understanding of the cult of Apis, which was deeply intertwined with the worship of Pharaohs, as Apis was believed to serve as an intermediary between the human and divine realms.
These relics had been buried under the Nile’s waters for over a thousand years, following the city's submersion in the 2nd century BC. Their discovery not only provides valuable insights into the religious practices of ancient Egypt but also highlights the role of underwater archaeology in uncovering hidden chapters of human history, long lost to time and nature.