In east Libya, archaeologists fight to save ‘breathtaking’ ancient Greek ruins

At its height, Cyrene had as many as 100,000 inhabitants and developed a rich intellectual life centred on the arts, music and science, with theatres and a renowned school of philosophy.

Earthquakes and wars eventually reduced the cities to ruins, and they were only rediscovered in the 18th century.

During Gaddafi’s rule, they received little attention as the country’s official ideology emphasised pan-Arabism and largely overlooked Libya’s pre-Islamic past.

Then came Storm Daniel in 2023, with major floods sweeping through Derna, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Cyrene, and killing thousands of people.

“The day after, everyone who loves this site came by,” said Anis Hamid Younes, who oversees renovation works along a sacred pathway linking upper Cyrene to the Temple of Apollo.

“We were in shock,” he added.

Younes leads a team that has spent months clearing fallen blocks and rubble, salvaging valuable objects and rebuilding a sanctuary and nearly 60 metres of an antique wall.