Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Bronze Ring Offers Glimpse of Lost Lighthouse of Alexandria

A unique bronze signet ring, recently discovered on Antirhodos island, provides a rare depiction of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, a wonder of the world that largely no longer exists.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as Pharos, stood between 330 and 430 feet tall and was one of the tallest structures of its time. It dominated the landscape for over a millennium until earthquakes caused its collapse in the 14th century.

Excavations on Antirhodos island, a site of an ancient palace, yielded the bronze ring. This artifact resembles depictions of the lighthouse on second-century Egyptian coins, suggesting a three-tiered structure.

The ring was found during a joint archaeological mission with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which also uncovered other artifacts from the fourth century B.C.E. to the fourth century C.E.

Researchers suggest the ring's presence indicates administrative offices for tasks like lighthouse management, with signet rings used by ancient Egyptian bureaucrats for official documents and to signify status.

The lighthouse, likely begun under Ptolemy I Soter and completed under Ptolemy II Philadelphus, was designed by Sostratus of Cnidos and is considered the world's first recorded lighthouse.

Physical evidence of the lighthouse is scarce, consisting mainly of underwater stone blocks and metal clamps. The Pharos Project is undertaking a digital reconstruction of the ruins.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.