What archaeological remains of the Pharos lighthouse have been found underwater?
In 1994, archaeologist Jean-Yves Empereur discovered significant remains of the lighthouse of Alexandria submerged in the waters off Pharos Island.1
The underwater site contains hundreds of massive masonry blocks, which are believed to have fallen into the sea following a series of earthquakes in the 14th century. In addition to these structural components, researchers recovered a substantial collection of statuary, including:1
- A colossal 3rd-century BCE statue of a king, thought to represent Ptolemy II.1
- A companion statue of a queen depicted as the goddess Isis, discovered nearby in the 1960s.1
- Various stone sphinxes.1
These statues, representing the deified Ptolemy and his wife, Arsinoe, are believed to have originally stood at the base of the lighthouse, facing the harbour entrance. Due to the historical importance of these findings, the Egyptian government halted plans for a breakwater at the site, opting instead to preserve the area as an underwater park.1