Plans to rebuild one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pharos Lighthouse, have been approved by Egyptian authorities, it’s reported.
The Pharos Lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built in Alexandria, Egypt, in the 3rd century BCE. The lighthouse was over 130 meters (426 feet) tall and had a large fire at the top that could be seen for miles around.
The Alexandria Pharos Lighthouse was severely damaged by three earthquakes between 956 and 1323 AD. The final earthquake in 1323 AD caused the lighthouse to collapse completely. The ruins of the lighthouse were used as a quarry for building materials, and eventually they disappeared altogether.
In the 1990s, archaeologists began to explore the site of the lighthouse. They have found underwater remains of the lighthouse, including columns, statues, and other artifacts. This work is ongoing, and it is hoped that more information about the lighthouse will be revealed in the future.
Here are some of the specific events that led to the destruction of the Pharos Lighthouse:
- Earthquakes: The lighthouse was damaged by three earthquakes in the 10th, 13th, and 14th centuries. The final earthquake in 1323 AD caused the lighthouse to collapse completely.
- Quarrying: The ruins of the lighthouse were used as a quarry for building materials. This further damaged the structure and made it more vulnerable to collapse.
- Sandstorms: The lighthouse was also damaged by sandstorms. These storms blew sand and dust into the structure, which weakened the foundations and made it more likely to collapse.
The destruction of the Pharos Lighthouse was a major loss for the world. It was one of the most important technological achievements of the ancient world, and it was a symbol of Alexandria’s power and prestige. However, the ruins of the lighthouse still offer a glimpse into the past, and they remind us of the ingenuity and engineering skills of the ancient Egyptians.
The plan is to rebuild the lighthouse a few metres away from where it once stood in the coastal city of Alexandria, as the original location is now occupied by the Qaitbay Citadel, the Cairo Post reports.
Egypt’s permanent committee on antiquities has approved the proposal and now it’s just down to the Alexandria’s regional government to sign-off on it, Dr Mostafa Amin, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, tells Youm7 website.
The Pharos Lighthouse was one of the most famous structures of the ancient world. “The original building comprised three stages: a lower square section with a central core, a middle octagonal section and a circular section at its top,” archaeology professor Fathy Khourshid. It guided ships using a mirror during the daytime, and a fire at night.
The lighthouse suffered damage during a series of earthquakes and is believed to have been destroyed by one in the early 14th Century. Bits and pieces of the structure were used to build the Qaitbay Citadel, and more remains were discovered in Alexandria’s harbour in 1990s.
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