The Discovery

In the submerged waters of Alexandria’s Eastern Harbour, a joint archaeological mission has uncovered remarkable remnants of the ancient world. The research is conducted by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, headed by Franck Goddio, in partnership with the General Administration of Sunken Antiquities at the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy recently inspected the underwater operations across the Mediterranean site.

During the current season, team members concentrated their investigations on four distinct locations within the harbor:

  • The royal island of Antirhodos, including its palace and western mound
  • The Temple of Isis
  • The structural remains of the obelisk
  • The Timonium, recognized as the palace of Mark Antony

What Scientists Found

Divers recovered a wide array of artifacts spanning several historical periods, ranging from the 4th century BC to the 4th century AD. The collection includes ancient glass fragments alongside practical ceramic objects such as:

  • Tableware and everyday household tools
  • Oil lamps and bottles
  • Storage amphorae

The most extraordinary find was recovered at the Antirhodos site: a bronze signet ring featuring an engraving of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, also known as the Pharos. The image closely matches representations found on coins from the second century AD. This discovery marks the first time an image of the Pharos Lighthouse has ever been identified on a signet ring.

Why It Matters

According to Dr. Hisham El-Leithy, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the signet ring adds a crucial piece to Alexandria's historical timeline. The Greek historian and geographer Strabo documented visiting the palace on Antirhodos between 29 and 25 BC. The newly found ring indicates that the palace complex may have continued to serve administrative functions into the second century AD, possibly involving oversight of the Pharos Lighthouse.

Conducting underwater excavations requires specialized technical skills due to the challenging marine environment. Despite these difficulties, documenting these submerged sites provides vital details about ancient civilizational history. Following the completion of operations in the Eastern Harbour, the mission is set to begin its next excavation phase at Aboukir Bay.

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Source: ancient civilization archaeology discovery - BingNews · Published October 07, 2026 · Photo by Mac Cervantes on Unsplash