Recently, 22 long-submerged stone blocks were raised from the shores of Alexandria, Egypt. These blocks were originally used in the construction of the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria (or Pharos), one of the wonders of the ancient world, back in the 4th century BC.
Scientists will study and digitally scan these stone blocks, which have rested on the seabed for centuries. The results, along with data on over 100 stones discovered underwater in recent times, will aid researchers in creating a virtual 3D model of the lighthouse.
The team working on this project includes experienced historians, archaeologists, architects, and engineers. The research is led by French archaeologist and architect Isabelle Eri, as reported by Live Science.
Among the recovered stones are fragments of a massive doorway weighing between 70 and 80 tons, columns in the Egyptian style, and ceremonial gates.
What You Need to Know About This Wonder of the World
After conquering Egypt in 332 BC, Alexander the Great founded a new capital in his honor—Alexandria. The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos Lighthouse (named after the small island of Pharos at the entrance to the harbor where it stood), adorned the city around 280 BC. This technological marvel was constructed under the orders of the then-ruler of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, a native of Macedonia.
The lighthouse stood over 100 meters tall (some sources suggest it was 120 meters or more), making it one of the tallest structures of the ancient world. It featured a multi-tiered design with a square base, an octagonal middle section, and a cylindrical top.
At the top, a large fire was lit at night, fueled by wood and oil. According to ancient chroniclers, sailors could see the beam of the Alexandria Lighthouse from a distance of 50 kilometers. Scholars believe the light was extraordinarily bright due to reflections from large polished surfaces, possibly made of bronze or copper. Unfortunately, these surfaces have not survived, and little is known about them.
For over 1,500 years, the lighthouse helped ships navigate the waters. Starting in 365 AD, it suffered repeated damage from earthquakes. A powerful earthquake in 1326 ultimately destroyed the structure. A fortress was later built on its ruins.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the ancient wonders of the world, a title bestowed upon it by ancient Greek writers. Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) praised this gigantic structure hundreds of years after its construction.
The “Digital Twin”
The ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria were first discovered on the seabed in 1994 by French archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur. This current study marks the third project aimed at bringing the lighthouse back to the surface.
As of now, there are no plans for its reconstruction. Meanwhile, researchers, having studied the blocks and historical records, have decided to create a virtual reconstruction, or “digital twin,” of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
The analysis results of the blocks will be handed over to volunteer engineers from the Dassault Systems Foundation. During the reconstruction, they will attempt to accurately position these “pieces of a giant archaeological puzzle,” as stated in their announcement.