Speakers

Prof Emad  Khalil
Director of the Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage (CMAUCH), Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University

Biography:

Emad Khalil is the Vice-Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research Institution, Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University; and the Executive Director of the Alexandria Centre for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage, Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University since 2009. He was Associate Professor of Maritime Archaeology at the Faculty of Arts, Alexandria University (2010–2015); and Deputy Director at the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, Egypt/Texas A&M University, USA (1994–2001). He is also a member of the Scientific Committee, Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS), Rome; and representative of Alexandria University at the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF)/British Council project. Emad Khalil is a Principal Investigator in the Marsa Bagoush Underwater Archaeological Survey at Alexandria University/Honor Frost Foundation, and was granted the Honor Frost Foundation Research Grant in 2015. He is also Co-Researcher in the Education and Capacity Building in Museum Studies for Alexandria University, Ain Shams University, Helwan University, University of Southampton, École du Louvre and University of Thrace. He has several published works including Museum Education and Cultural Identity:  A Counter-terrorism Approach and Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage.


Abstract:

Marsa Bagoush Underwater Survey Project

The Northern Coast of Egypt was one of the main maritime routes in the Mediterranean, at least as early as the Bronze Age. In Egypt, the Hellenistic and Roman Periods in particular, witnessed substantial maritime commercial activities, which have left a wealth of evidence in the archaeological record. Among the ancient harbor towns that were established along the Northern Coast of Egypt was the town of Zygris, now known as Marsa Bagoush (c. 250 kilometers west of Alexandria). 

Since 2015, the Centre for Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage of Alexandria University has been conducting an underwater archaeological survey of Marsa Bagoush aiming at discovering and recording archaeological remains found at the site. A preliminary investigation of the site revealed evidence of at least three shipwrecks from the Hellenistic, Roman and late medieval periods. 

This paper sheds light on the results of the survey, and the site management plan, which aims to utilize its unique features in order to develop a regional underwater archaeology training facility.