Recent discoveries in the Mediterranean have revived interest in the Alexandria Lighthouse, one of the most iconic works of antiquity. Archaeologists are studying submerged structures near the Egyptian coast and pointing out similarities with historical descriptions of the monument. The new analyzes reinforce long-standing debates over the exact location and size of the building. Experts analyze sculpted stone blocks, (…)
Recent discoveries in the Mediterranean have revived interest in the Alexandria Lighthouse, one of the most iconic works of antiquity. Archaeologists are studying submerged structures near the Egyptian coast and pointing out similarities with historical descriptions of the monument. The new analyzes reinforce long-standing debates over the exact location and size of the building.
Experts analyze the carved stone blocks, columns and bases that appear in images taken by divers and underwater surveys. Ongoing research is comparing these pieces with the records of Greco-Roman travelers. Thus, the scientific community seeks to understand whether these remains really belong to the Alexandria Lighthouse or other buildings of the ancient port.
Discoveries in the Mediterranean revive the history of the Alexandria lighthouse
Underwater archeology teams have been mapping the area of Alexandria’s ancient port for decades. During recent campaigns, researchers have identified new sets of limestone and granite blocks, some bearing inscriptions erased by time. These pieces are distributed in areas that have suffered subsidence due to earthquakes and sea level changes.
The studies use laser scanning, high-resolution photography and 3D modeling technologies. In doing so, international groups cross-reference historical and geological data. Ancient accounts describe large, precisely fitted blocks and monumental statues near the base of the lighthouse. The current results present compatible characteristics, although scientists remain cautious in their interpretations.
Research institutes in Egypt and other countries are publishing preliminary reports and emphasizing the need for further excavations. Ongoing projects also assess how tidal waves and earthquakes have affected the Alexandrian coastline over the centuries. Archaeologists are thus trying to reconstruct the scenario in which the Alexandria lighthouse collapsed and partially sank.
What is the Alexandria Lighthouse?
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Lighthouse of Pharos, was part of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Historical sources indicate that the builders erected the tower on the island of Pharos, opposite the port of Alexandria, around the 3rd century BC. The structure guided ships approaching the Egyptian coast and symbolized the power of the Ptolemaic kingdom.
Reports from geographers and travelers describe the lighthouse as having three main levels. The square base supported an octagonal or cylindrical body, tapering upwards. On the upper level, a small tower maintained the fire which guided the ships during the night. During the day, sunlight reflected off the polished surfaces and increased the visual range of the building.
Researchers estimate that the Alexandria Lighthouse reached between 100 and 130 meters in height. These measures made the tower one of the tallest structures of the time. At the same time, the monument served as an urban landmark. Thus, navigators easily identified the entrance to the port, which concentrated an intense commercial and cultural flow in the eastern Mediterranean.
Over the centuries, successive earthquakes have damaged the structure. Medieval sources report partial collapses and attempts to reuse the blocks in other structures. At some point, the remains of the lighthouse gradually disappeared under the sea and under new construction on the Alexandrian coast. Archaeologists therefore view the region as a key area for understanding engineering and urbanization in ancient times.
How do archaeologists study the Alexandria Lighthouse today?
Searches for the remains of the Alexandria Lighthouse involve different research methods. First, divers take detailed photographic surveys in shallow areas close to shore. Then, geophysics teams use sonars and other equipment to map the submerged terrain. This information guides the most delicate excavations.
- Underwater photographic mapping
- Scanning with sonar and magnetometers
- 3D modeling of blocks and fragments
- Comparison with ancient texts and drawings
- Dating analysis and origin of stones
Researchers are also analyzing documents from Islamic periods and European travelers. These stories mention ruins still visible in the Middle Ages, possibly linked to the old lighthouse. By cross-referencing these descriptions with modern topographical data, researchers delineate the areas of greatest archaeological interest. This makes surveys more precise and less invasive.
Some projects are evaluating the possibility of creating a visual reconstruction of the Alexandria Lighthouse. To achieve this, engineers and historians work with hypotheses based on the average dimensions of Hellenistic lighthouses and the proportions described by classical sources. Although no reconstruction has absolute consensus, these models help the public understand the scale and function of the monument.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the Seven Modern Wonders
Thus, the Alexandria Lighthouse is part of a list consecrated by historical tradition. Calls seven wonders of the ancient worldaccording to the most widespread form, include:
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Temple of Artemis in Ephesus
- Halicarnassus Mausoleum
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Alexandria Lighthouse
In the 21st century, international organizations and popular votes have consolidated a new selection, known as the seven wonders of the modern world or new wonders. Indeed, the most cited list presents the following monuments:
- Great Wall of China
- Petra, Jordan
- Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Chichen Itza, Mexico
- Colosseum in Italy
- Taj Mahal, India
These choices therefore reinforce global interest in great architectural works and the preservation of cultural heritage. In the case of the Alexandria Lighthouse, new underwater discoveries expand opportunities for studying ancient engineering, trade routes and urban history in the Mediterranean. Thus, the ancient tower continues to be present in research and stories about the great constructions of humanity.
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