After centuries on the Mediterranean seafloor, the Lighthouse of Alexandria is emerging through a blend of heavy lifting and high-tech imaging. Archaeologists recently recovered 22 massive stone blocks from the site of this ancient wonder, including the original monumental door lintels and threshold stones. Each block, weighing up to 80 tons, represents a critical piece of the “PHAROS” project led by Isabelle Hairy of the CNRS. Among the finds is a previously unrecorded pylon that displays a unique fusion of Greek construction techniques and Egyptian stylistic elements, reflecting the multicultural heritage of the Ptolemaic era.
This recovery is significant because it provides the physical data necessary for a complete digital twin of the world’s first skyscraper. Each stone is undergoing rigorous photogrammetry to capture surface details and tool markings with precision. For technical readers, these scans are the building blocks for scientific simulations that allow engineers to virtually reassemble the structure like a 3D puzzle. By applying these methods to more than 100 blocks already scanned, researchers can finally test structural theories regarding how the 100-meter-tall tower withstood 1,600 years of history and precisely why it collapsed during the earthquakes of the 14th century.
For more information, this multidisciplinary effort combines underwater archaeology with historical ancient coins and inscriptions to fill gaps in the digital model. While the physical stones may remain on land for preservation or study, the ultimate goal is a virtual reconstruction that allows the public to explore the monument in its original glory. This project demonstrates how photogrammetry and 3D modeling are essential for reviving lost heritage that is too massive or fragile to physically rebuild.
Read More: https://archaeologymag.com/2025/07/lighthouse-of-alexandria-rises-again/
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