Geoarchaeology of Leuke Akte Roman Harbour and submerged Church remains by technology technic for heritage protected methods in Ras El Hekma area, NWcoastofEgypt

Ras El Hekma area located in the Mediterranean sea, this area seems as triangle head land extending into the Mediterranean sea for about 15 km ,It lies West of Alexandria City for about 220 km, and some 70 km East Marsa Matruh city. Some historical writers like Fourtau, 1914 and Ball, 1942 show that Leuke Akte harbour was situated in the eastern of Ras El Hekma area.

This place was mentioned by that name by Scylax, Strabo, Ptolemy, and in the Book of Stadiums. As for the portolan from the beginning of the twelfth century, they mention it by the names: Rase El Kanayis, the red head according to Keith. As for Piri Reis, or “the Reis on (the Turkish)he calls it the head of the churches and advises ships to use it to protect themselves from the winds coming from the land. The name Leuca means “act.” White Land or White Coast or White Head.

The underwater archaeological survey in this bay resulted in the discovery of a group of amphorae and metal and stone anchors extending Chronologically, from the first century BC to the seventh century AD, indicating the intensity of navigational activity in the region.

This study aims to define geomorphological characteristics and geoarchaeological evidence of the Leuke Akte ancient harbor, and to study effect of Holocene sea level change on the study area.

This study depends on detailed geo-archaelogical and geo-morphological surveying and mapping, coring of sediment samples, interpretation of multi-dates RS images and GIS techniques.