Alexandria's Ancient Party Boat: A Glimpse into Luxury

Under the waves near Alexandria, a team of divers found a big surprise: a 2, 000-year-old party boat! This wasn't just any boat. It was a luxury vessel, likely used for fun and maybe even religious events. The boat, called a "thalamagos, " was huge—about 115 feet long and 23 feet wide. It had a flat bottom and a cozy cabin in the middle. The team found long wooden pieces with Greek writing on them, dating back to the first century AD. This boat was no ordinary ship. It was a pleasure barge, likely used for relaxing and enjoying the water. The researchers think it might have been part of a yearly ritual for the goddess Isis. The boat could have been part of a procession, traveling from Alexandria to the sanctuary of Osiris. The boat was found near the island of Antirhodos, which was part of Alexandria's big port. This area was fancy, home to important people like Cleopatra and Mark Antony. The boat might have sunk around 50 AD when a temple nearby was destroyed. This find gives us a peek into the luxurious life of ancient Egypt. It shows how people enjoyed their time on the water, mixing fun with religion. The team is still studying the boat, but it's already teaching us a lot about the past.