Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters
Ptolemaic (297–246 BCE Pharos 137 m; Royal Quarters Ptolemy I 323 BCE Antirhodos islet 300 × 70 m) + 1303/365 earthquake subsidence 8th c.·Ptolemaic Alexandria (Lochias, Antirhodos) with Pharos lighthouse debris 500 blocks·🇪🇬 Coastal, Alexandria, Eastern Harbour, Pharos island Qaitbay fort reef, and Royal Quarters near Lochias palace Antirhodos islet now off Silsila promontory (Cleopatra's palace 25 m off), Abu Qir west, Egypt
About
About Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters
Alexandria submerged Empereur 1994 Qaitbay Pharos and Goddio 1996 Antirhodos palace island. Recorded context — Period: Ptolemaic (297–246 BCE Pharos 137 m; Royal Quarters Ptolemy I 323 BCE Antirhodos islet 300 × 70 m) + 1303/365 earthquake subsidence 8th c.; Culture: Ptolemaic Alexandria (Lochias, Antirhodos) with Pharos lighthouse debris 500 blocks; Field status: excavated; Materials: granite Pharos blocks, Pharos limestone, palace island Timonium, statuary 60 Pharaonic reuse Ptolemaic; Condition: submerged 5–11 m.
Why it mattersKey Ptolemaic Alexandria (Lochias, Antirhodos) with Pharos lighthouse debris 500 blocks submerged-city with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Construction labor organization
Theories
- 01Observatory
- 02Seasonal gathering
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 297 BCE Pharos Sostratus; 323 BCE Antirhodos palace island; 1303 earthquake collapsed subsidence 8 m
- Period
- Ptolemaic (297–246 BCE Pharos 137 m; Royal Quarters Ptolemy I 323 BCE Antirhodos islet 300 × 70 m) + 1303/365 earthquake subsidence 8th c.
- Culture
- Ptolemaic Alexandria (Lochias, Antirhodos) with Pharos lighthouse debris 500 blocks
- Purpose
- Ptolemaic Royal Quarters and Pharos debris field — 5000 Pharos blocks (120 t granite, 60 statues) off Qaitbay and Antirhodos palace 300 × 70 m Timonium Caesar with foundations
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1879
- Excavation
- Excavated
297 BCE Pharos Sostratus; 323 BCE Antirhodos palace island; 1303 earthquake collapsed subsidence 8 m
Initial construction / first occupation at Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters
On the ground
Structures & features
31.2130° N · 29.8850° E · -8 m · 3 mapped features
- Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — Principal Harbourharbourharbour at Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — primary structure31.2130° N · 29.8857° E
- Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — Northern Wallwallwall at Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — subsidiary complex31.2146° N · 29.8834° E
- Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — Temple Annex 3templetemple at Alexandria Submerged — Pharos Debris Field and Royal Quarters — subsidiary complex31.2139° N · 29.8833° E