Underwater excavations off the coast of Alexandria have revealed the foundations of a massive 'scented-cypress' banquet hall dating to the Ptolemaic period. The structure, identified by its uniquely preserved aromatic wood columns, appears to have served as the primary venue for the Festival of the Sea-Star, a maritime celebration honoring the goddess Isis in her role as a protector of sailors. The use of imported cypress, treated with exotic oils, was intended to create an immersive olfactory experience for the elite participants.
Inside the hall, divers found thousands of small lead tokens and glass vessels, likely used for ritual libations during the festival's climactic feast. The maritime heritage site provides new insights into how ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions merged to create lavish, multi-sensory public celebrations that reinforced the city's status as a global trade hub. The hall's proximity to the ancient harbor underscores the festival's role in the economic and spiritual life of the Mediterranean.