Undersea Archaeologists Recover the Only Known Ring Engraved With the Lighthouse of Alexandria

Underwater archaeologists say they have recovered a rare bronze signet ring engraved with the Lighthouse of Alexandria from the sunken royal palace at Portus Magnus, on the submerged island of Antirhodos off Egypt’s northern coast. Antirhodos sank in 365 CE after a tsunami linked to the July 21, 365 CE earthquake that struck near Crete. The ring, pulled up by a joint team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, is reported to be the only one of its kind currently known. Researchers believe the Pharos engraving may have been used for official notary impressions on wax or clay seals.