Historic Discovery! – Archaeologists Find Unknown Underwater Entrance to the Lighthouse of Alexandria

A New Era in Historical Revelation

Archaeologists have made a historic discovery: a previously unknown, hidden underwater entrance dating back 2,000 years at the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
After centuries, the legendary Lighthouse one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is finally beginning to reveal its secrets.

Thanks to an ambitious French–Egyptian archaeological project, part of this monumental structure, which once symbolized the masterful engineering of the Greeks, is being brought back to light.
Massive architectural blocks, some weighing up to 80 tons, were lifted from the sea floor during an extraordinary recovery operation.

Revolutionary Discovery: 22 Monumental Blocks and the Underwater Entrance

The operation, led by researcher and architect Isabelle Eriri from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in collaboration with the Center for Alexandrian Studies (CEAlex), resulted in an astonishing find:
22 monumental blocks were raised, including doors, foundations, enormous gateways, and even a richly decorated column in Egyptian style, which may have served as a symbolic entrance to the lighthouse tower.

These blocks, originally part of the lighthouse’s submerged entrance, are essential for digitally reconstructing the largest building of its era. All of this became possible through advanced photogrammetry and digital modeling techniques, which will allow experts to restore the lighthouse’s appearance and structure with exceptional accuracy.

Standing Against the Ages: The Return of a World Wonder

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built in the 3rd century BC, during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus, and was one of the tallest structures of its time, reaching 120 meters in height.

The idea for the lighthouse came from the small island of Pharos, which became the construction site under the direction of architect Sostratos around 279 BC.
The lighthouse was an engineering masterpiece consisting of three levels: a square base, an octagonal middle section with a balcony, and a cylindrical top crowned with a statue of Poseidon. Its beacon could guide sailors from up to 45 kilometers away.

Beyond serving as a maritime beacon, the lighthouse became a symbol of ancient Egypt and a testament to the technological and architectural achievements of the era.

However, earthquakes in the 4th century AD and later in 874 and 1303 — caused its gradual destruction.
It was restored several times, but after the abandonment of the port of Alexandria, the structure continued to deteriorate.

On August 8, 1303, a major earthquake in Alexandria severely damaged the lighthouse, and another in 1324 caused it to collapse completely. Its stones were later reused in new buildings.
A century later, Emir Qaitbay built the Qaitbay Fortress using the remains of the lighthouse.

Although parts of the ruins had been visible underwater since the 1960s, it was not until 1995 that archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur began systematic research, uncovering more than 3,000 architectural fragments.

Ambitious Reconstruction: The Digital Twin of the Lighthouse

Recently, the project “PHAROS” was launched, marking another major milestone in the restoration of the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
This ambitious project represents a multidisciplinary collaboration, bringing together archaeology, art history, architecture, Egyptology, and digital engineering.

Its goal is not only to reconstruct the lighthouse’s appearance but also to deeply understand how it was built, why it collapsed, and its symbolic significance in both Egyptian and wider Hellenistic history.

The creation of the “digital twin” will include 3D modeling and detailed digitization of every block, making it possible to fully recreate the monument’s original form.

Science and Technology Unite: A New Era in Heritage Preservation

The project highlights the invaluable collaboration with engineers and volunteers from Dassault Systèmes. Their work in 3D digitization and modeling will allow the public to see a virtual reconstruction of what the lighthouse looked like 2,000 years ago.

With support from the French film company GEDEON Programmes, a documentary dedicated to this project will also be produced and broadcast on France Télévisions.

Restoring Cultural Heritage Through Digital Technology

The reconstruction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria is not just an archaeological achievement — it exemplifies how modern technologies can revive and preserve cultural heritage.

It opens new horizons for the conservation of historical monuments around the world.
Today’s digital tools allow not only the restoration of ancient structures but also the creation of lasting digital models for future generations, ensuring their protection and enabling virtual journeys into the past.

Thus, the digital reconstruction of the Lighthouse of Alexandria represents a step toward a future where history, science, and technology come together to restore the grandeur of one of humanity’s most remarkable monuments.