Side Story of the Lighthouse of Pharos: The Port of Alexandria

　　In 332 BC, Alexander the Great of the Macedonian Empire established an ancient city—Alexandria—on the western side of the Nile River estuary in Egypt. After the death of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt began to rise, and Alexandria became the capital of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, subsequently prospering. Moreover, located at the junction of Asia, Africa, and Europe, and serving as a gateway to both the Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea, one can imagine how thriving Alexandria was and how developed global commerce was at that time. Additionally, within Alexandria, on Pharos Island, stood the Lighthouse of Pharos—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—that illuminated the harbor. The area also contained numerous architectural ruins such as temples and palaces of Egyptian kings. Although Alexandria once enjoyed such prosperity, today it is almost unrecognizable. Scientists believe that due to a massive earthquake in the 4th century AD, most of these structures collapsed.

　　   Scientists have conducted multiple excavation projects in the Port of Alexandria. During one such excavation in 1996, French experts claimed to have discovered large-scale ancient ruins on the seabed of the port, along with traces of ancient roads and paving stones. Investigators found amphorae—ancient Greek jars with two handles used for transporting goods such as wine—that had sunk into the sea in ancient times. The research team also discovered the head of a pharaoh’s statue. Using metal tools, workers first secured the head before lifting the statue to the surface with balloons. This investigation took place at the likely site of the Lighthouse of Pharos. Just comparing the size of the head to the workers nearby gives an idea of the statue’s immense scale. Alongside these discoveries, numerous surveys have unearthed thousands of artifacts, most weighing several tons to dozens of tons. From these relics, we can gradually imagine the appearance of the mysterious Lighthouse of Pharos. Given the prosperity of Alexandria and the limited navigational technology of the ancient world, it's easy to see how vital the Lighthouse of Pharos, which illuminated the entire harbor, was for protecting the lives of ancient sailors. Whether future generations can learn more about the lighthouse depends on whether governments and experts prioritize further excavations in the Port of Alexandria. With more progress in these digs, more architectural features may be brought back to life.