A bronze signet ring depicting the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the wonders of the ancient world, has been discovered underwater in the Mediterranean near Alexandria, Egypt. This significant find was made by a team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities at the remains of a palace on the submerged island of Antirhodos. This is the first known instance of a signet ring featuring the lighthouse’s image.
The design on the ring resembles depictions previously found on second-century coins. Franck Goddio, president of IEASM, emphasized the importance of this discovery, noting the royal connections of the submerged palace from the Ptolemaic period, a time when the lighthouse was one of the tallest structures of the ancient world.
The lighthouse, erected around 280 B.C. on the island of Pharos, stood approximately 328 feet tall and was noted by ancient writers as a marvel. It continued to serve as a landmark until its eventual destruction due to earthquakes and erosion.
The newly discovered ring may have been used to create seals on soft materials like clay and wax, suggesting administrative uses related to the lighthouse. Scholars believe the image might include smoke from an oil lamp atop the lighthouse, further evoking its historical significance as a guiding light for mariners.
