Using drones, archaeologists identify a lost city founded by Alexander the Great that was buried for centuries in the Persian Gulf, and the discovery reveals a metropolis of 6 km² with a monumental palace.

Written by Andriely Medeiros de Araújo

Published on 10/04/2026 at 10:32

Seja o primeiro a reagir!

Archeologists locate the legendary lost city Alexandria of the Tigris near the Persian Gulf. Discovery reveals urban planning, central palace, and Hellenistic commercial hub.

After centuries forgotten beneath coastal sediments of the Persian Gulf, the legendary lost city Alexandria of the Tigris has finally been identified by an international team of archeologists.

Founded by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, the metropolis, also known as Charax Spasinou, functioned as one of the most important commercial hubs of Antiquity, connecting inland rivers and maritime routes to the rich network of Mesopotamian cities.

Using drones, cesium magnetometry, and advanced topographic mapping, researchers digitally reconstructed the urban plan, revealing grid streets, industrial sectors, spacious residential blocks, and a central palace of impressive proportions.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Lost city founded by Alexander the Great is found beneath sediments in the Persian Gulf and discovery reveals giant commercial center of Antiquity

To map the lost city, archeologists from the University of Tübingen and the University of Basel combined cesium magnetometry, drones, and topographic surveys. The site covers about 6 km², with residential blocks measuring 160 x 85 meters and defensive walls reaching six meters in height.

The industrial areas contained furnaces and goods depots, while the palace of Mesene, measuring 110 x 100 meters, indicated luxury and administrative control. Paved streets and drainage systems show care for organization and infrastructure.

Archeologists locate the legendary lost city Alexandria of the Tigris near the Persian Gulf. Discovery reveals urban planning, central palace, and Hellenistic commercial hub.

Commercial hub between rivers and sea

The Alexandria of the Tigris functioned as a strategic hub, redistributing goods coming from India and the Persian Gulf to cities like Seleucia, Ctesiphon, and Nipur.

Imported products included fine textiles, perfumes, precious stones, and valuable metals, while local exports encompassed wines, dates, and ceramics.

The coastal port also housed colonies of foreign merchants, including traders from Palmyra, reinforcing the multicultural character of the city and its regional commercial importance.

Luxury and power in the Palace of Mesene

The palace of Mesene, located in the center of the city, featured peristyle courtyards, fluted brick columns, and high-quality plaster, comparable to the constructions of urban centers like Nipur.

It served as an administrative headquarters and a stage for dynastic disputes, including recorded events from the Arsacid dynasty, such as the conquest by Vologases III in 150/151 AD.

Environmental decline and natural preservation

The decline of the city did not occur due to wars, but rather due to environmental factors. The rapid accumulation of sediments and the shifting of river channels moved the city away from the coastline, compromising the port and maritime trade.

Nevertheless, the sedimentation preserved streets, foundations, and the palace, allowing archeologists to digitally reconstruct the city.

Alexandria of the Tigris ceased to be the capital around 410 AD, but Christian bishops resided in the region until at least 605 AD.

Alexandria of the Tigris compared to Alexandria of Egypt

Although less known, Alexandria of the Tigris shared similar functions with the Egyptian city: both connected rivers and seas, served as cultural and commercial centers, and were planned on a large scale by Alexander’s successors.

The coastal location of the Persian Gulf brought unique challenges, such as frequent flooding and rapid sedimentation, limiting its historical prestige.

Still, the city remained relevant as an administrative center and commercial hub for centuries.

The rediscovery of the lost city Alexandria of the Tigris on the coast of the Persian Gulf expands the understanding of urbanism, trade, and Hellenistic culture in the Middle East.

Source

0 Comentários

Mais recente

Mais antigos Mais votado

Feedbacks

Visualizar todos comentários

Using drones, archaeologists identify a lost city founded by Alexander the Great that was buried for centuries in the Persian Gulf, and the discovery reveals a metropolis of 6 km² with a monumental palace.

Archeologists locate the legendary lost city Alexandria of the Tigris near the Persian Gulf. Discovery reveals urban planning, central palace, and Hellenistic commercial hub.

Lost city founded by Alexander the Great is found beneath sediments in the Persian Gulf and discovery reveals giant commercial center of Antiquity

Commercial hub between rivers and sea

Luxury and power in the Palace of Mesene

Environmental decline and natural preservation

Alexandria of the Tigris compared to Alexandria of Egypt

Family without running water in the interior of Ceará takes out a loan to drill an artesian well and discovers possible oil, but cannot use it, cannot sell it, and is left with a debt of R$ 15,000.

On the Greek island of Ithaca, archaeologists have found what may be a sanctuary dedicated to the legendary Odysseus, with inscriptions bearing his name and votive offerings that span from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic era.

Is a smart plug worth it in a regular home? What does it offer: turns on and off via smartphone, creates routines by schedule, prevents forgotten devices, sometimes monitors consumption, and improves habits without renovation or miracles.

Spain surprises the world by erecting 62 artificial dunes, mixing sand with natural remains of posidonia, and causing the structure to lose only 1.4% of its volume in 1 year.

After two years of internal discussions, Paraguay has finally regulated the law that opens the country to foreign technology and service companies with tax incentives that promise to create thousands of jobs and change the economy.

Map reveals how the Earth may look in 250 million years: continents will reunite in the Last Pangaea, 92% of the planet could become uninhabitable for mammals, and Spain appears among the rare possible exceptions.

Geographers redefine the Brazilian relief and confirm the presence of mountains in 14 states with a new system that changes historical criteria and alters the way the territory is classified.

Governments in Latin America are advancing with a sustainability and energy transition agreement in aviation, creating an environment for the scaling of SAF, operational gains, and a direct response to global climate demands.

Scientists reveal that Saturn’s rings may have formed after the destruction of a moon, and a study indicates that the planet’s bright structure is only 100 million years old.

The decommissioned ambulance that became a home with a kitchen, bathroom, and solar energy: a couple invested $3,000 and created a home on wheels.

At 102 years old, Kokichi Akuzawa surprises the world by becoming the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Using drones, archaeologists identify a lost city founded by Alexander the Great that was buried for centuries in the Persian Gulf, and the discovery reveals a metropolis of 6 km² with a monumental palace.

Archeologists locate the legendary lost city Alexandria of the Tigris near the Persian Gulf. Discovery reveals urban planning, central palace, and Hellenistic commercial hub.

Lost city founded by Alexander the Great is found beneath sediments in the Persian Gulf and discovery reveals giant commercial center of Antiquity

Commercial hub between rivers and sea

Luxury and power in the Palace of Mesene

Environmental decline and natural preservation

Alexandria of the Tigris compared to Alexandria of Egypt

Family without running water in the interior of Ceará takes out a loan to drill an artesian well and discovers possible oil, but cannot use it, cannot sell it, and is left with a debt of R$ 15,000.

On the Greek island of Ithaca, archaeologists have found what may be a sanctuary dedicated to the legendary Odysseus, with inscriptions bearing his name and votive offerings that span from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic era.

Is a smart plug worth it in a regular home? What does it offer: turns on and off via smartphone, creates routines by schedule, prevents forgotten devices, sometimes monitors consumption, and improves habits without renovation or miracles.

Spain surprises the world by erecting 62 artificial dunes, mixing sand with natural remains of posidonia, and causing the structure to lose only 1.4% of its volume in 1 year.

After two years of internal discussions, Paraguay has finally regulated the law that opens the country to foreign technology and service companies with tax incentives that promise to create thousands of jobs and change the economy.

Map reveals how the Earth may look in 250 million years: continents will reunite in the Last Pangaea, 92% of the planet could become uninhabitable for mammals, and Spain appears among the rare possible exceptions.

Geographers redefine the Brazilian relief and confirm the presence of mountains in 14 states with a new system that changes historical criteria and alters the way the territory is classified.

The decommissioned ambulance that became a home with a kitchen, bathroom, and solar energy: a couple invested $3,000 and created a home on wheels.

At 102 years old, Kokichi Akuzawa surprises the world by becoming the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records.

YouTuber installs 28 solar panels on a drone, allowing it to fly for over 5 hours, with the potential to reach 12 hours of autonomy in the future.

With mass production of over 2 million hamburgers per month, the Korean factory impresses with high-standard industrial machines, capable of processing 500 kg of meat per hour and supplying entire networks of markets worldwide.

With a very high value, the factory extracts raw ore to produce gold bars, the precious yellow and shiny metal, which undergoes smelting, molding, and finishing to be present in the lives of people around the world.

Governments in Latin America are advancing with a sustainability and energy transition agreement in aviation, creating an environment for the scaling of SAF, operational gains, and a direct response to global climate demands.

Scientists reveal that Saturn’s rings may have formed after the destruction of a moon, and a study indicates that the planet’s bright structure is only 100 million years old.

The decommissioned ambulance that became a home with a kitchen, bathroom, and solar energy: a couple invested $3,000 and created a home on wheels.

At 102 years old, Kokichi Akuzawa surprises the world by becoming the oldest person to climb Mount Fuji, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records.