In 2023, Franck Goddio and his team have succeeded in discovering amazing new artifacts at Thonis-Heracleion in Egypt. Some of the beautiful and ancient objects found below the sea are now part of the world’s largest archaeological collection in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Furthermore, we also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cooperation with the University of Oxford.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA). The OCMA was established as a collaborative venture by the School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) under the direction of Franck Goddio, and the Hilti Foundation which has supported his archaeological expeditions since 1996. The aim was to create a center of expertise for Maritime Archaeology at the University.

The sunken temple of Thonis-Heracleion has unveiled its long-held treasures and secrets as an underwater archaeological team, led by Franck Goddio in collaboration with the Department of Underwater Archaeology of Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, made significant discoveries in the Bay of Aboukir off the Egyptian coast.

Two colossal statues retrieved by Franck Goddio and his team from the ancient sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion (Aboukir Bay), are now on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, near Cairo. They are part of one of the world’s largest underwater archaeological research projects, supported by the Hilti Foundation.

Block your calendars already now on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (GMT+1). Join us for a fascinating live-stream session and listen to Maritime Archaeologist Franck Goddio. He will update us on the latest developments of the ongoing excavations of Thonis-Heracleion in Egypt.

Since 1996, the Hilti Foundation has been working with French archaeologist Franck Goddio to support his research in Egypt. In his live talk The Portus Magnus of Alexandria, French underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio presented his discoveries of 25 years of research in today’s east port of Alexandria to Hilti team members.

Since 1996, the Hilti Foundation has been working with French archaeologist Franck Goddio to support his research in Egypt. In this episode, you will learn how the long-term commitment of the Hilti Foundation has enabled Franck Goddio to revolutionize maritime archaeology with innovative research and documentation techniques.

In his lecture “The Portus Magnus of Alexandria”, organized by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA) and livestreamed by the University of Oxford on 2 December at 5pm (GMT), Franck Goddio will present the results of his 25 years of research in today’s eastern port of Alexandria.

For 25 years, the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), led by Franck Goddio, has been working in the Nile Delta region in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt. This unique research project has been financed by the Hilti Foundation since its inception. While excavation work had to be interrupted last year due to the pandemic, the latest research campaign in spring 2021 was marked by impressive results.