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A lost Egyptian city was found under the sea in 2000.

Hidden HistoryEstablished

Heracleion was a busy port at the mouth of the Nile, mentioned by ancient writers but never found. Divers located it in Abu Qir Bay. Statues, temples and dozens of shipwrecks lie on the seabed.

Truth label: Established. Strong evidence and broad agreement among experts.

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How it sank

Earthquakes and rising water likely turned the soft ground to mush, and the city slid beneath the sea.

Giant statues

Divers raised statues over five metres tall of a king, a queen and the god Hapi.

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  1. A city from legend. Greek historian Herodotus wrote about it. For centuries many thought it might be myth.

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Where was Heracleion found?

Under the sea. It lies underwater in Abu Qir Bay, Egypt.

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