Offbeat ·
Lighthouse of Alexandria ring found underwater
A team from the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) and Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has found a bronze signet ring showing the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is the first time a signet ring with this image has been found.
A palace on a sunken island
The ring turned up in the remains of a palace on the island of Antirhodos, now submerged in the Mediterranean off Alexandria. Signet rings were used to press a mark into wax or clay, so the team believes the palace may have had administrative functions linked to the lighthouse.
The engraving is somewhat worn, but it resembles images of the lighthouse on second-century coins. Experts interviewed by Live Science agree it likely shows the lighthouse, and some suggest the top may show smoke rising from an oil lamp.
Source: Live Science. Original summary by JosephArnwolf.com.