Submerged blocks of Lighthouse of Alexandria found

[guy]

 

Twenty-two stone blocks, believed to have been part of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, have been found submerged in the surrounding waters.

 

 

🏛️ Discovery Overview

Twenty-two massive stone blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, have been recovered from the seabed near the island where the lighthouse once stood.

 

These include door lintels, thresholds, base slabs, and a Ptolemaic-era pylon with an elaborately carved doorway.

 

Interesting Insights

The blocks were recovered as part of the PHAROS Project, led by Isabelle Hairy of France’s CNRS and supported by La Fondation Dassault Systèmes.

Some of the blocks weigh 70–80 tons and feature a blend of Egyptian and Greek architectural styles, providing rare insights into Hellenistic engineering.

The project utilizes digital simulations and photogrammetry to reconstruct the lighthouse virtually, enabling researchers to understand its original structure and potential for collapse.

This builds on earlier underwater research from 1995 by Jean-Yves Empereur, who first mapped the submerged remains.

 

🌍 Historical Context

Constructed during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (280–247 BCE), the lighthouse stood over 100 meters tall, making it arguably the world’s first skyscraper.

It served as a beacon for sailors and a symbol of Alexandria’s maritime power.

The structure was damaged by three major earthquakes between 956 and 1303 AD and was later dismantled to build the Citadel of Qaitbay in 1480.

 

 

https://www.heritagedaily.com/2025/07/blocks-from-the-lighthouse-of-alexandria-recovered-from-seabed/155568

 

A brief video on the Lighthouse of Alexandria:

 

 

Edited July 7, 2025 by guy