Underwater surveys conducted along Egypt's Mediterranean coast have brought to light new evidence regarding one of the most magnificent structures of the ancient world. A bronze signet ring featuring a depiction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria was discovered in the ruins of a palace on the island of Antirhodos, which was submerged centuries ago in Alexandria's ancient harbor region.
Administrative Secrets of the Palace
The find, announced by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM), was unearthed within the legendary palace complex that once served as the region's center of power. Franck Goddio, the French archaeologist leading the excavation, stated that the location where the ring was found suggests the palace hosted administrative offices where lighthouse-related affairs were managed. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities emphasized that such a depiction engraved on a signet ring is a global first.
A Colossal Structure of the Ancient World
Completed around 280 BC during the reign of Ptolemy II, the Lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the tallest structures of antiquity, standing over 100 meters high. Built on the island of Pharos to guide mariners, the massive tower was destroyed by a series of earthquakes during the Middle Ages. It was noted that the depiction on the newly discovered ring bears a strong resemblance to lighthouse representations found on coins dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Underwater History Comes to Light
The excavation work, supported by the Hilti Foundation, is not limited to this ring. Goddio and his team are continuing their research at four different sites in Alexandria's Eastern Harbor, including the Temple of Isis and the Timonium, a palace associated with Mark Antony. The team's next destination will be Abu Qir Bay, home to the sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion, where massive statues and 2,400-year-old fruit baskets were previously discovered.
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