Recently, archaeologists have made a significant discovery—22 massive stone blocks, believed to be part of the lighthouse, have been raised from the Mediterranean Sea.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria, built in the 3rd century BCE under Ptolemy II, was a towering structure over 100 meters tall. For centuries, it stood as a beacon for sailors navigating Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. However, the lighthouse eventually collapsed after a series of powerful earthquakes in the 13th and 14th centuries, with many of its massive stones sinking into the sea. Although its ruins have been known since the 1960s, it wasn’t until recent technological advancements that archaeologists could fully study and raise some of these monumental pieces from the depths.
In the 1990s, divers first began documenting the underwater remains, but it’s only in the past few years that efforts have intensified, thanks to the PHAROS Project. This international initiative aims to digitally reconstruct the lighthouse, combining the recovered architectural pieces with historical records to create an accurate 3D model of the ancient wonder.
A Digital Resurrection of an Ancient Wonder
The PHAROS Project, a collaboration between Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and the Dassault Systèmes Foundation, is at the forefront of efforts to digitally rebuild the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
According to AS USA, the primary goal of the project is to create a detailed 3D digital twin of the lighthouse. This virtual reconstruction will allow researchers and the public to “visit” the lighthouse as it once appeared, providing an unprecedented opportunity to explore the architectural marvel as it stood thousands of years ago.
The process involves studying the massive stone blocks recovered from the seabed, including lintels, thresholds, and parts of the original pavement. These pieces are critical to understanding the structure’s design. Experts believe that these monumental elements, which weigh between 70 and 80 tons, once formed part of the lighthouse’s entrance, blending Egyptian and Greek architectural techniques. By using 3D scanning and mapping, archaeologists hope to piece together the full scope of the structure and better understand its construction and eventual collapse.
Unveiling New Layers of History
More than just a navigational tool, the Lighthouse of Alexandria played a significant role in the military and economic power of ancient Egypt. As reported by Popular Mechanics, the lighthouse’s location and powerful light made it an essential feature for ships navigating the Mediterranean. Julius Caesar himself noted its strategic importance, writing that it controlled access to Alexandria’s harbor and was a key military asset. The light could be seen from over 300 furlongs away, allowing ships to safely anchor even in the dark of night.
Its guiding light was not only a marvel of engineering but also a symbol of Alexandria’s dominance in the Mediterranean. The lighthouse’s ability to offer safe passage to ships helped secure trade routes, bolstering Egypt’s wealth and influence. Even after the lighthouse’s collapse, its remains were used in the construction of the Qaitbay Citadel in the 15th century, which still stands today.
The Role of Modern Technology in Uncovering the Past
Thanks to advances in imaging technology, archaeologists have been able to digitally map the underwater ruins of the lighthouse with unprecedented precision. Over the past three decades, more than 100 fragments from the lighthouse have been carefully scanned and studied by researchers. These scans, combined with historical descriptions and artistic representations of the lighthouse, are being used to recreate a virtual model of the structure.
The most recent phase of the project involved raising the 22 massive stone blocks, including some of the largest and most important elements of the lighthouse. These pieces will be analyzed and further studied using 3D technology to complete the digital reconstruction. The ongoing efforts are expected to offer new insights into the design and engineering behind the lighthouse, as well as how it withstood centuries of storms and earthquakes before ultimately falling.
