Ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria Blocks Recovered in Major Underwater Excavation
Off the coast of Alexandria, a significant archaeological effort is underway as divers and cranes return to a site that has lain submerged for centuries. Large stone blocks, directly connected to the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, are being carefully lifted from the Mediterranean seabed. This renewed initiative marks a pivotal moment in underwater archaeology, focusing on one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
Recovery of Monumental Stone Blocks
The structure, famously known as Pharos, once stood proudly at the entrance to Alexandria's harbour, guiding ships and symbolising the city's maritime prowess. Thirty years after underwater remains were first identified in 1995, researchers are now raising selected architectural pieces for in-depth study. As part of the PHAROS project, a French-led programme, the goal is to document, scan, and digitally reconstruct the lighthouse using both recovered blocks and fragments mapped beneath the sea.
In a major development, the Dassault Systems Foundation, which supports the technological aspects, has successfully lifted 22 of the largest surviving blocks. Some of these stones weigh an astonishing 70 to 80 tonnes. The recovered pieces include monumental door lintels, jambs, a threshold, and large base slabs. Notably, among the finds is part of a previously unknown pylon featuring an Egyptian-style doorway dating to the Hellenistic period. The sheer scale of these stones offers a tangible sense of the lighthouse's original mass and grandeur. Each block is currently being studied on land before undergoing further detailed analysis.
Digital Reconstruction Aims to Rebuild Pharos Virtually
The recovered elements will be scanned and processed using advanced photogrammetry techniques. They will join over 100 blocks that have already been digitised underwater over the past decade. Engineers collaborating with La Fondation Dassault Systèmes will analyse this data and attempt to reposition each piece in a sophisticated virtual environment.
This digital effort aims to test various hypotheses about how the lighthouse was originally constructed and how it eventually collapsed. Through simulations, the team plans to create a digital twin of the structure. This model could enable viewers to explore a detailed, immersive reconstruction of Pharos without the need for physical rebuilding, offering new insights into ancient engineering and design.
French and Egyptian Institutions Lead the Excavation
The excavation is being conducted by the CNRS through its permanent unit in Egypt, under the authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The project has received crucial financial support from La Fondation Dassault Systèmes over the past three years. In addition to the physical recovery, researchers are collecting ancient texts, coins, and visual depictions of the lighthouse. These sources help fill gaps left by the fragmented remains, as much of the structure was dismantled after it ceased operation in 1303, with stones later reused in the construction of the Qaitbay Fortress in 1477.
Alexandria Lighthouse Shaped Ancient Maritime Trade
Built in the early third century BCE under Ptolemy I, the lighthouse is believed to have stood approximately 100 metres tall. It played a vital role in guiding ships along a treacherous coastline and became an enduring symbol of Alexandria's status in Mediterranean trade. No ancient lighthouse of similar scale survives today, making this excavation particularly valuable. The current work in Alexandria is less about spectacle and more about patient, meticulous reconstruction. Piece by piece, the outline of this ancient marvel becomes clearer, though it remains incomplete, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of architectural brilliance.
