After centuries of being lost to the sea, the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria is slowly being brought back into the spotlight. Divers recently recovered 22 massive stone blocks, from the Mediterranean seabed off the coast of Egypt. These ancient blocks were once part of the towering lighthouse that guided sailors safely into the port of Alexandria for over a thousand years.
Built around 280 B.C. during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, the lighthouse was an engineering marvel, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It stood tall and proud for more than a millennium before being brought down by a series of powerful earthquakes in the 14th century. Since then, the structure has been lost beneath the waves, but the recent recovery of its remnants has given archaeologists a fresh opportunity to learn more about this iconic monument.
The Lighthouse’s Last Stand
At over 100 meters tall, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world, with a fire at the top that could be seen from 50 kilometers away. Its mirrors likely helped focus the light across the sea.
Divers carefully unload massive stone blocks from the depths of the Mediterranean. Credit: GEDEON Programmes / CEAlex
However, in the 14th century, a series of earthquakes severely damaged the lighthouse. According to ZME Science, two major quakes in 1303 and 1323 caused the lighthouse to crumble and sink into the Mediterranean. For centuries, its remains were scattered across the harbor floor. But now, thanks to the work of archaeologists and divers, many of those pieces are being pulled back to the surface. The recent recovery of these stone blocks gives researchers a clearer picture of how the lighthouse was designed and built.
Digital Reconstruction: Bringing the Lighthouse Back to Life
The recovered blocks, weighing up to 80 tons, are being carefully studied and scanned as part of the PHAROS project, a collaboration between France’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Dassault Systèmes Foundation. The plan is to create a digital replica of the lighthouse, or a “digital twin.” As the foundation explained in a press release:
“The goal of this exceptional and spectacular operation is to study and scan these architectural elements, adding them to a collection of over 100 blocks already digitized underwater over the past decade.”
Massive stone blocks pulled from the sea at the Lighthouse of Alexandria’s location. Credit: GEDEON Programmes / CEAlex
The blocks include parts of the main doorway and foundation, which are helping to map out the structure’s layout. Engineers are using 3D scanning technology to create the virtual model, which will allow researchers to test ideas about how the light was produced and how the tower fell into the sea.
A Monument to Alexandria’s Glory
During its heyday, Alexandria was a major center for trade and learning, rivaling Rome and Athens. The lighthouse stood as the city’s most iconic landmark, towering at the entrance of its bustling harbor, where ships from across the Mediterranean exchanged goods and ideas.
As stated in another official press release from theCNRS, researchers say that the ongoing efforts to recover and analyze the remains of the lighthouse are helping to reconnect with Alexandria’s storied past.
“The virtual model will revive the lighthouse’s original grandeur, allowing visitors to explore it as if they were on site.”
This digital reconstruction will also answer long-standing questions, such as whether the lighthouse’s light was magnified using mirrors or lenses, and whether its design changed over time.
