Published in early 2025, “Apollonia: Le Port de Cyrène” is the first integrated scientific volume dedicated to the underwater archaeology of Susa (Apollonia). Supervised by French archaeologist Claude Sintes and featuring a panel of specialised researchers, the book documents the results of twenty archaeological campaigns conducted by the French mission between 1986 and 1998. It stands as the most modern reference regarding the findings of the French Underwater Archaeological Mission in Libya.
Engineering Sophistication and Geological Shifts
The field studies detailed in the 323-page, large-format book reveal significant engineering advancements during the Roman period, including internal basins, quays, and specialised sand-drainage channels, alongside rock-cut “Neosoikoi” for ship maintenance. The research confirms that tectonic shifts and a sea-level rise of nearly 3.80 meters caused approximately one-third of the ancient city and its vital port facilities to be submerged, necessitating advanced diving and excavation techniques for their study.
Archaeological Finds and Historical Chronology
The volume is organized into chapters analyzing the wreckage of an ancient merchant ship and documenting various finds, such as 248 pieces of pottery, metal anchors, and notable marble sculptures, including a head attributed to Ptolemy III and a statue of Dionysus. Dr. Khaled al-Haddar, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Benghazi, reviewed these findings, noting that the text tracks Apollonia’s history from its 7th-century BC founding as Cyrene’s port to its Hellenistic independence and its 5th-century AD status as the capital of the Pentapolis province.
Apollonia as a Global Commercial Hub
The book, which includes an Arabic summary by Mohamed Fakroun, concludes that Apollonia functioned as a thriving global commercial hub for centuries before natural factors led to its decline. This publication serves as a fundamental pillar for the study of submerged archaeology and the history of the Libyan coast, documenting a golden era of Mediterranean civilizational exchange