Musée de l'Éphèbe, Archaeological museum in Agde, France
The Musée de l'Éphèbe holds around 3,000 archaeological objects found through underwater research in the Mediterranean Sea and Hérault River. The collection features pottery, bronze items, weapons, and personal goods recovered from sunken vessels.
The museum opened in 1985 following a major find in 1964: a Hellenistic bronze statue discovered in the Hérault River that likely depicts Alexander the Great. This discovery inspired efforts to gather and preserve these underwater archaeological treasures.
The displays show objects from ancient shipwrecks in the bay, telling stories about daily life and trade routes through pottery, weapons, and jewelry. You can see how merchants and vessels once moved through these waters regularly.
The museum extends its hours during warm months and offers regular guided tours. Plan your visit for a day when tours are available to better understand the objects on display.
A remarkable collection here was hidden beneath the sea for many centuries before being recovered through patient underwater excavation. The techniques pioneered in these waters shaped how underwater archaeology is practiced today.
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