Archaeologists have successfully recovered 22 colossal stone blocks from the submerged remains of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a monument that once stood as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This discovery marks a significant step toward digitally reconstructing the lighthouse, more than 2,300 years after it was originally built.
These massive blocks, which had rested beneath the Mediterranean Sea near Egypt’s coast, are now part of a broader international project aimed at unveiling the architectural grandeur of one of history’s most iconic engineering feats. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, renowned for being the tallest man-made structure for centuries, continues to captivate researchers and historians alike.
The PHAROS Project
The excavation and retrieval operation were conducted under the auspices of the PHAROS Project, a collaborative initiative involving France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Dassault Systèmes Foundation. The project is spearheaded by archaeologist Isabelle Hairy, whose team focused on the recovery of critical structural components from the lighthouse.
The recovered stones include essential architectural elements such as lintels, door jambs, thresholds, and large paving slabs, each weighing between approximately 77 and 88 tons. These blocks were extracted from the main entrance of the lighthouse, providing invaluable physical evidence to aid in the monument’s digital revival.
Constructed in the early third century BC during the reign of Ptolemy I, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was the brainchild of the Greek architect Sostratus of Cnidus. It was strategically positioned on the island of Pharos, marking the entrance to Alexandria’s bustling harbor. The lighthouse soared to a height exceeding 330 feet, serving as a crucial navigational aid for ancient mariners.