The CEA - CNRS UMS 1812

The mission

Founded in 1990 by Jean-Yves Empereur, director of research with the French Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, the Centre d'Etudes Alexandrines (CEA) has, as a mission, the study of the rich history of Alexandria whether through existing vestiges, land or underwater excavations, archives, ancient maps and texts, or travellers accounts.

In addition the CEA does not limit its research purely to antiquity but tries to look at the history of the town throughout the entirety of its existence.

A dozen salvage excavations have been undertaken within the city, uncovering dwellings both Roman and Ptolemaic, as well as in the ancient cemeteries. From 1994, excavations have also taken place in the sea off Alexandria with the explorations of the sunken ruins at the foot of Qaitbay Fort and on wrecks of Greek and Roman shipping. All of these digs can be considered rescue excavations in an attempt to save what may remain of Alexandria's heritage.