Rare Bronze Signet Ring Depicting Alexandria’s Lighthouse Unearthed in Egypt

A bronze signet ring bearing an engraving of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the ancient world’s most famous wonders, has been recovered from the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt. A joint expedition by the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities located the artifact within the ruins of a palace on the now-submerged island of Antirhodos.

This find represents the first known instance of a signet ring displaying the lighthouse. Experts note that the imagery closely matches depictions found on coins dating back to the second century. Franck Goddio, president of IEASM, emphasized the significance of locating the ring within the legendary palace of Antirhodos, which once served as a major political center.

The palace was utilized by pharaohs during the Ptolemaic period, spanning from 304 to 30 B.C., a dynasty established by descendants of one of Alexander the Great’s generals. The lighthouse itself was constructed on the nearby island of Pharos around 280 B.C. Standing taller than 328 feet, it was praised by ancient historians like Pliny the Elder and remained in use through the Middle Ages before eventually collapsing due to seismic activity and erosion.

Historical accounts suggest the structure was topped by a statue, potentially of Zeus, holding an oil lamp to guide sailors. Doris Behrens-Abouseif, a professor emeritus of the history of art and archaeology at the University of London, confirmed that despite some wear on the ring, the image likely represents the lighthouse. She noted that thousands of coins from the Ptolemaic or Roman eras feature similar designs, though she could not definitively state if this is the only ring of its kind.

Other specialists have weighed in on the discovery. Andrew Chugg, an independent researcher and author of “The Pharos Lighthouse in Alexandria: Second Sun and Seventh Wonder of Antiquity,” highlighted an asymmetrical feature at the peak of the engraving. He suggested this detail may depict a plume of smoke rising from the lamp held by the crown statue. Margaret Miles, a professor emeritus of art history and classics at the University of California, Irvine, agreed with this interpretation.

Miles proposed that a merchant from Alexandria might have used the ring as a signet, employing the iconic profile of the lighthouse to signal his connection to the city. Given the lighthouse’s fame, it had become a powerful symbol of Alexandria itself.

The discovery adds to a growing body of evidence about the ancient wonder. Recent underwater research off the coast of Alexandria, including the identification of 22 massive stone blocks, has provided new insights into the lighthouse’s architecture, aiding ongoing efforts to create digital reconstructions of the historic structure.