The Flood Disaster in Libya Damaged the Ancient City of 'Cyrene' but Revealed New Artifacts

The flooding that left thousands dead in the city of 'Derna' in Libya last month also damaged the ruins of the ancient Greek city of 'Cyrene' in the nearby mountains, but it led to the emergence of new archaeological remains from the ground. According to Reuters, scientists say that Storm Daniel may have caused a meter of rain to fall on the hills of eastern Libya; a record unprecedented since rainfall measurements began in the mid-19th century. Last week, when a Reuters reporter visited the site, floodwaters were still flowing there. Adel Boufjra, head of the local antiquities department, told Reuters that the flood caused mud to accumulate in the ancient Greek baths of Cyrene, which need to be cleaned professionally. He warned that although the damage so far has been minimal, the flood may have increased the risk of land subsidence, which could later lead to the collapse of one of the historical buildings. Mr. Boufjra said, 'I am completely sure and expect that one of these landmarks will collapse this winter due to the excessive groundwater.' He added that 'the flood has revealed a new site; a water channel that I believe dates back to the Roman era. This is a distinct discovery for this city.' Scientists at 'World Weather Attribution', an international research group, say that climate change increased the amount of rainfall during the storm by up to 50% more than usual, posing a significant threat to cultural heritage. Cyrene, a Greek colony and one of the major cities of the Hellenistic period of ancient Greece, later became a major center for the Romans until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 365 AD. This archaeological site is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Office. The death toll from the Libyan floods has exceeded 11,000; the UN: it was preventable. Storm and flood in Libya; 10,000 people are missing.