How Greek Settlers Turned Libya’s Natural Coast into a Major Port for Ancient Cyrene
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesStay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
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Long before Apollonia became the port of Cyrene, Greek settlers were already using a naturally sheltered stretch of Libya’s coast. New research shows how they reshaped that shoreline into a working harbour.
Apollonia lies about 15 kilometres from Cyrene, on the coast of Cyrenaica. Pottery from the eighth century BCE points to activity near the shore before Cyrene’s foundation in 631 BCE. The harbour later served trade, farming and naval needs for more than 1,200 years, closely tied to the inland Greek city.
Researchers combined underwater surveys from 1958 and 1959 with new drone images and underwater work from 2025. Their study offers a fresh view of the coast before later harbour works changed its shape.
Much of the ancient shoreline now lies underwater. The study estimates a relative sea-level rise of more than 2.4 metres since about 2,500 years ago, driven largely by tectonic movement — land that first rose and later sank.
Cutting a coast into a harbour
The coast once looked different. Raised areas formed part of a ridge running from the mainland toward Hammam and Sharkea islands. Greek builders later cut large amounts of soft limestone sandstone from these areas. Some cut surfaces became work zones. Others became channels, barriers and parts of the harbour.
Natural shelter was still not enough for large ships. North and northwest winds dominate the local weather and drive strong waves along the coast.
The researchers propose an early breakwater near Grotto Reef, stretching about 200 metres and requiring an estimated 8,800 cubic metres of rubble. A channel cut through a sandy ridge near Hammam Island then opened another route into sheltered water.
Builders also reshaped Hammam Island, cutting its northern side into a steep cliff and levelling areas along the south. Later workers carved long slipways into the island to hold warships when they were not at sea. The shipsheds at Apollonia differ from many other ancient Mediterranean examples: their upper ends faced the sea rather than the town, leaving them exposed to waves and attack. Winter storms sometimes produced waves of four metres or more.
The study places the main shipshed works in the fifth or fourth century BCE, after earlier rock-cutting that was already part of a longer harbour project. Builders also carved wave traps near the shipsheds to limit spray reaching the stored ships.
From shelter to fortified port
Cyrene’s growing economy raised the harbour’s importance. In the fifth century BCE the city exported farm goods and silphium, and Apollonia was its main link with the sea. Later Hellenistic builders added walls and towers, bringing the port inside a fortified city.
The researchers describe Apollonia’s growth as a series of changes rather than one grand project. People first used the natural coast, then added breakwaters, channels, quays and work areas as their needs grew.
Many early structures still lack firm dates. Waves, erosion and later damage have also affected the remains underwater. The authors call for new mapping, imaging and targeted excavation to establish when each part of the harbour was built.
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