Built in the third century BC, the Ancient Library of Alexandria was the world’s first known great library. It soon became the world’s first university and its scholars including such famous names as Euclid, Erastosthenes, Heron and Archimedes. Its stature grew until it was burnt down 7-8 centuries later.

To mark the new millennium, Alexandria, with funding from UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation) and other sources, has built the foundations of a new great library - Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The library opens later this year.

These pictures look at what the great Library of Alexandria represented - the quest for knowledge, the idea that knowledge can be lost as well as gained, and the power of knowledge and it’s place in society.

Click any image to see a large version

Cleopatra's Jewel (1) Cleopatra's Jewel (2) Knowledge: Limits of Perception Gates of Knowledge: Free Spirit
Dark Side of the Earth	The Roots of Knowledge	The Soul's Quest
Alexandria Rising (1)	Alexandria Rising (2)	Alexandria Rising (3)
Alexandria Rising (4)	Alexandria Rising (5)	Alexandria Rising (6)

All pictures are copyright Nadia Warner and may not be used in any way whatsoever without her permission.