The bronze seal ring was discovered among the submerged ruins of ancient Alexandria — and officials say its tiny carving is the first of its kind ever found

NEED TO KNOW

• Archaeologists exploring submerged ruins in Alexandria, Egypt, discovered a bronze seal ring depicting the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria
• Officials say it is the first time an image of the famous lighthouse has been discovered carved onto a seal ring
• The find could offer new clues about how part of Alexandria’s ancient royal quarter was used nearly 2,000 years ago

A tiny ring discovered beneath the Mediterranean Sea is giving archaeologists a new glimpse of one of the ancient world’s most famous lost landmarks.

Archaeologists excavating submerged ruins in Alexandria, Egypt, discovered a bronze seal ring carved with an image of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Facebook.

The ancient lighthouse, also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The image on the newly discovered ring resembles depictions of the lighthouse previously found on coins from the second century A.D., according to Hisham El-Lithi, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities.

But the ring itself appears to be one of a kind. El-Lithi called the discovery “exceptional,” explaining that it marks the first known instance of an image of the ancient lighthouse being found on a seal ring.

Archaeologists discovered the ring at the royal island of Antirhodos, once part of Alexandria’s royal quarter in the ancient harbor known as Portus Magnus.

And where the ring was found may be nearly as important as the image carved into it. The palace on Antirhodos was observed and described by Greek historian and geographer Strabo when he visited Egypt between 29 and 25 B.C., according to the ministry.

Now, the ring could be evidence that activity at the palace continued much later than that.

Officials said the discovery may indicate that the palace remained in use into the second century A.D. for administrative purposes, possibly including work connected to the management of the lighthouse.

The Lighthouse of Alexandria was built on the island of Pharos and became a defining feature of the ancient city. The enormous structure guided ships approaching Alexandria’s harbor before it was eventually lost following centuries of earthquake damage.

The ring emerged as archaeologists continued exploring parts of that ancient city that now sit underwater.

The joint mission between the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology and the General Department of Underwater Archaeology of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities is currently excavating four sites in Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor.

Those sites include the Temple of Isis, the palace and another area on Antirhodos, and the Timonium, associated with Mark Antony.

The team has uncovered objects spanning hundreds of years of Alexandria’s history. Among the finds are pottery pieces dating from the fourth century B.C. to the fourth century A.D., including everyday objects, tableware, amphorae and other vessels. Archaeologists also recovered remains of glassware.

Franck Goddio, director of the European Institute of Underwater Archaeology and head of the Antirhodos mission, said the team’s work has resulted in numerous important scientific and archaeological findings, according to the ministry.

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy also visited the excavation area and praised the specialists working to uncover and document the remains beneath the Mediterranean.

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Fathy said the discoveries are helping “enrich knowledge of the history of Alexandria” and shed more light on the city’s civilization across different periods.

The work in Alexandria’s Eastern Harbor isn’t finished yet. Once the current excavation season concludes, the archaeological mission is expected to begin new underwater excavations in Abu Qir Bay.

For researchers, however, the small bronze ring has already provided something never seen before: the image of one of antiquity’s greatest landmarks preserved on a seal nearly 2,000 years later.

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