The Past Macabre

Join Egyptologist Stephanie Rice as she delves into topics such as the elaborate tombs built to immortalize the dead, ancient guardians of the afterlife, and the tales of heroes who defied and often triumphed over deities of death. The Past Macabre explores the diverse ways in which cultures throughout history have sought to understand, confront, and transcend death.

Sunken Cities Part 1: New Discoveries from the Ancient Egyptian Port, Canopus - Ep 22
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Sunken Cities Part 1: New Discoveries from the Ancient Egyptian Port, Canopus - Ep 22

At the end of August, archaeologists announced extraordinary new finds from the sunken city of Canopus, located off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt. For the first time in 25 years, artifacts were raised from the seabed, including a sphinx inscribed with Ramses II’s name, statues from the Ptolemaic and Roman eras, and shipwreck remains.

In this episode, we'll explore both these latest underwater discoveries and geological surveys that are helping researchers understand what caused Canopus to sink, because understanding how people of the past adapted to disasters could help us find solutions for today’s climate-threatened coastal cities.

Listen now to learn about the artifacts, myths, and history of Canopus.

Read More

Welcome to The Past Macabre! Where we dive into humanity’s enduring obsession with death—and what lies beyond it!