Archaeologists in Egypt have recovered massive stone blocks, weighing up to 80 tons, believed to be remnants of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The recovery, completed in July 2025, marks the first time portions of the structure have been visibly accessible in centuries, according to a statement from GEDEON Programmes / CEAlex.
The expedition, led by archaeologist and architect Isabelle Hairy of the Centre National de Recherches Scientifiques in France, is part of the international PHAROS project. The project aims to create a detailed virtual reconstruction, a “digital twin,” of the lighthouse. The recovered blocks were extracted from the harbor floor and are providing new insights into the monument’s architecture and design.
Constructed on the island of Pharos off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, between approximately 300 and 280 BCE during the reigns of Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II, the lighthouse served as a crucial navigational aid for ships entering the city’s ports. Standing at over 100 meters (330 feet) tall, it was, for a significant period, the tallest man-made structure in the world, surpassing even the Great Pyramid of Giza, according to historical records.
The lighthouse was commissioned around 300 BCE by Ptolemy I Soter, with construction completed roughly two decades later under his son and successor, Ptolemy II. Its purpose was not only to guide vessels but also to serve as a lasting symbol of Ptolemaic power and grandeur. The structure was dedicated to Zeus Soter, meaning “Zeus the Savior,” reflecting its protective function for seafarers.
Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, flourished as a major trade port during the Ptolemaic dynasty and throughout antiquity. The lighthouse was integral to this prosperity, guiding ships through the city’s natural harbors in the Nile Delta. The name “Pharos” itself became the origin of the modern word “lighthouse” in many languages, a testament to its enduring legacy.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria endured for over 1600 years, withstanding numerous challenges before succumbing to damage from a series of earthquakes between 956 and 1323. By the 14th century, it was largely in ruins, with the remaining stones eventually repurposed for the construction of the Fort of Qaitbey in 1480, built on the same site.
In 1994, French archaeologists discovered numerous remains of the lighthouse on the seabed during underwater excavations in the eastern harbor of Alexandria. The current recovery operation builds upon this earlier work, utilizing advanced techniques to retrieve and analyze the substantial stone blocks.
The PHAROS project continues, with researchers currently working to document and analyze the recovered stones. No timeline has been announced for the completion of the virtual reconstruction, and the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has not yet commented on potential plans for the physical preservation or display of the recovered fragments.
