Such a giant wave destroyed a large part of Lisbon in 1755, killing 60,000 people. Though the Lisbon disaster did not result in the city sinking, it is possible if a city is built on sediment, Nur said. Artifacts continue to be found in the area that could shed light on the cities' demise, said Franck Goddio, who led the original expedition to the sites. In October, previously unknown and perfectly preserved piers were found off Alexandria. Archaeologists also found gold coins, the most recent dating to 740 A.D., said Jean-Daniel Stanley of the Smithsonian Institution.
Coins are useful because they're gold coins.
Records kept since ancient times indicate that the outlet of the Nile was changing course at the time and causing major flooding in the area. If true, the cities' fate might have been sealed without a major quake. All rights reserved.