Imagine one of the ancient world's most iconic structures, a towering marvel that guided ships to safety for centuries, now lying hidden beneath the waves. This is the story of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a 2,000-year-old wonder emerging from the depths of the Mediterranean. But here's where it gets fascinating: after centuries underwater, archaeologists are now meticulously lifting massive stone blocks from its ruins, piece by piece, to unravel its secrets.
Off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, a team of divers and cranes has returned to a site that has been submerged for centuries. These efforts are part of the PHAROS project, a French-led initiative that aims to document, scan, and digitally reconstruct the ancient lighthouse. Known as Pharos, this structure once stood proudly at the entrance to the city’s harbor, earning its place among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Thirty years after its underwater remains were first identified in 1995, researchers are now carefully raising selected architectural pieces for detailed study.
And this is the part most people miss: the scale of these stones is breathtaking. The Dassault Systems Foundation, which has supported the technological aspects of the project, has successfully lifted 22 of the largest surviving blocks, some weighing between 70 and 80 tonnes. Among these finds are monumental door lintels, jambs, thresholds, and large base slabs. One of the most exciting discoveries is part of a previously unknown pylon featuring an Egyptian-style doorway dating back to the Hellenistic period. These massive stones offer a glimpse into the sheer size and grandeur of the original lighthouse.
Each block is being meticulously studied on land before further analysis. But the real magic happens in the digital realm. Using photogrammetry, the recovered elements will be scanned and processed, joining over 100 blocks already digitized underwater over the past decade. Engineers from La Fondation Dassault Systèmes will then analyze the data, attempting to reposition each piece in a virtual environment. The goal? To test theories about how the lighthouse was constructed and why it eventually collapsed.
Here’s where it gets controversial: could modern technology reveal secrets about ancient engineering that have been lost to time? Using simulations, the team plans to create a digital twin of the structure, allowing viewers to explore a detailed virtual reconstruction of Pharos without physically rebuilding it. This approach raises questions about the balance between preservation and innovation in archaeology.
The excavation is led by the CNRS through its permanent unit in Egypt, under the authority of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, with financial support from La Fondation Dassault Systèmes. Researchers are also gathering ancient texts, coins, and visual depictions of the lighthouse to fill in gaps left by the fragmented remains. Much of the structure was dismantled after it ceased operation in 1303, with its stones reused in the construction of the Qaitbay Fortress in 1477.
Built in the early third century BCE under Ptolemy I, the lighthouse is believed to have stood about 100 meters tall. It was more than just a navigational aid; it symbolized Alexandria’s prominence in Mediterranean trade. Today, no ancient lighthouse of similar scale survives, making this reconstruction effort all the more significant. The current work is not about creating a spectacle but about patient, piece-by-piece reconstruction. With each block recovered, the outline of this ancient wonder becomes clearer, though still incomplete.
What do you think? Is the digital reconstruction of ancient wonders like Pharos a worthy endeavor, or should we focus solely on preserving physical remains? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
