Maritime Archaeology: Research from the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA)

Oxford University
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  • EDUCATION

This podcast series presents the fascinating discoveries and results from ongoing archaeological research underwater in the sunken ancient cities off the coast of Egypt. The OCMA was established in 2003 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, in order to create a centre of expertise for Maritime Archaeology at the University.

Episodes

  1. NOV 11 · VIDEO

    Two temples and a princess

    What can we learn from the remains of two temples in the Portus Magnus of Alexandria? Franck Goddio and Damian Robinson talk latest research results and share updates on the condition of the team’s support vessel, Princess Duda. Franck Goddio, President of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and Damian Robinson, Director of the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA) met at the University of Oxford where they attend a conference on maritime Alexandria. In the picturesque courtyard of Harris Manchester College, they talk about the latest results of the excavations and detailed research on two temples in the sunken royal quarter of the ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria: the temple to Poseidon and the temple to Isis. They also discuss the general state of play of this long-term research project off the coast of Egypt, including the condition of the team’s support vessel, Princess Duda, which has a major refit. Franck Goddio’s keynote lecture on the temple to Poseidon can be watched here: https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/temple-poseidon-portus-magnus-alexandria For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    14 min

  2. NOV 3 · VIDEO

    The temple to Poseidon in the Portus Magnus of Alexandria

    Franck Goddio presents his research on the remains of a large religious complex in the Portus Magnus of Alexandria. The existence of a temple to Poseidon is mentioned by Strabo in his description of the Portus Magnus of Alexandria: “Next to the Poseidium, which is an arm projecting from the so-called Emporion, on which is a temple of Poseidon…” (Geogr. 17, 1,9). In this lecture Franck Goddio presents the research of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) in the Portus Magnus and on this “arm” of land which stands out clearly on the topographical map obtained. At the base of this peninsula, the remains of a large monument are still visible, partially sticking out of the sediment. Limestone ashlars, pink granite blocks, fragments of pink granite columns, and imposing mortar blocks are scattered on an area of over 3,000 square meters. The study of the monument’s environment reveals the existence of a large religious complex giving rise to an ambitious urban planning concept. This lecture was recorded as part of the 2025 conference "Alexandria and the Sea II" held by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology at Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford. For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    56 min

  3. MAR 10 · VIDEO

    J3: A Roman ship's boat from the Portus Magnus of Alexandria

    A small Roman boat was discovered in the port of Alexandria. Why was it transporting a large iron anchor at the moment it sank? Professor Damian Robinson presents this fascinating and rare find. J3, a small boat around 6 meters long, was discovered by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) in the eastern harbour of Alexandria, the ancient Portus Magnus. The boat, dating to the 1st-2nd century AD, was discovered towards the northeastern end of the now sunken Antirhodos Island in its sheltered inner harbour, well preserved in the sediments. The excavation allowed a team from the IEASM to study the wreck in detail, to reveal the details of the construction and to interpret the function of the boat and its potential region of origin. J3 was transporting a large iron anchor at the moment it sank. This occupied almost the entire preserved length of the ship and was carefully positioned with its crown on the decked aft area and the shank under the removable thwarts. This lecture was recorded as part of the 2021 online seminar series "Alexandria and the Sea" held by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    1h 5m

  4. 12/16/2024 · VIDEO

    Underwater photography and maritime archaeology

    Fascinating images that offer a glimpse into ancient Egypt: Photographer Christoph Gerigk talks about his work in the sunken ancient cities off the coast of Egypt and the challenges and developments in underwater photography. Fascinating images that offer a glimpse into ancient Egypt: Photographer Christoph Gerigk talks about his work in the sunken ancient cities off the coast of Egypt and the challenges and developments in underwater photography. Since the early 1990s Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the Hilti Foundation, have explored the submerged remains of the ancient sunken cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus off the coast of Egypt and the Portus Magnus of Alexandria and its sunken royal quarter. Photographer Christoph Gerigk has been collaborating with the IEASM for more than 25 years. In this episode, he talks about his work in the sunken ancient cities and the challenges and developments in underwater photography. Christoph has been honored twice at the World Press Photo Contest. This lecture was recorded as part of the 2021 online seminar series "Alexandria and the Sea" held by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. 3. For more information about the work of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    42 min

  5. 10/22/2024 · VIDEO

    The Portus Magnus of Alexandria: 25 years of underwater archaeological research

    The ancient Portus Magnus of Alexandria with its sunken royal quarter was once home to historical figures Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony. Franck Goddio discusses his many years of exploration at the site and some key discoveries. Since the early 1990s Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and the Hilti Foundation, have explored the submerged remains of the great eastern port of Alexandria, the Portus Magnus. Through painstaking survey and detailed stratigraphic excavation, an accurate map of the harbour floor has been developed and many of its important buildings revealed. These include the palaces and temples on the Island of Antirhodos and the Poseidium Peninsula where Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra VII used to stay, as well as the commercial infrastructure that crowded its ports. In this lecture, Franck Goddio presents for the first time a sweeping panorama of his 25 years of work in the Portus Magnus in order to demonstrate its life history from its origins as a small Egyptian fishing village, through the subsequent foundation of the city by Alexander the Great and its years as the lavish centrepiece of the Ptolemaic empire, to its place in the Roman empire as the greatest trading emporium in the whole world. This lecture was recorded as part of the 2021online seminar series "Alexandria and the Sea" held by the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. 2. For more information about Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    1h 9m

  6. 10/21/2024 · VIDEO

    Underwater archaeology: 20 years of collaboration between OCMA and IEASM

    Egypt's sunken ancient cities have been the fieldwork project of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) since 1992. Franck Goddio discusses key finds and the creation of Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology. Franck Goddio, president of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and Damian Robinson, director of the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology (OCMA) talk about the foundation of the OCMA in 2003 with the support of the Hilti Foundation in order to create a centre of expertise for Maritime Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Goddio and Robinson discuss the Centre’s achievements that are the result of their long term collaboration. They present fascinating discoveries from the ancient sunken cities of Thonis-Heracleion and Canopus off the coast of Egypt and the Portus Magnus of Alexandria and its sunken royal quarter. These range from artefacts to shipwrecks, port structures and the remains of buildings and temples. The episode also gives insights into future projects of the research team and the development of maritime archaeology using the latest technology, including AI. For more information about the OCMA: https://ocma.web.ox.ac.uk/ For more information about Franck Goddio and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM): https://www.ieasm.org/ https://www.franckgoddio.org/ https://www.youtube.com/@Franck_Goddio For more information about the Hilti Foundation: https://www.hiltifoundation.org/

    43 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

This podcast series presents the fascinating discoveries and results from ongoing archaeological research underwater in the sunken ancient cities off the coast of Egypt. The OCMA was established in 2003 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, in order to create a centre of expertise for Maritime Archaeology at the University.

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