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Show Origin of Lighthouses The earliest lighthouses of which records exist were the towers built by the Libyans and Cuschites in Lower Egypt, beacon fires being maintained in some of them by priests. Lesches, a Greek poet (GOO B. C), mentions a lighthouse at Sigeum, now Cape Inchisarl, In the Troad, which appears to have been the first light regularly maintained for mariners. The famous Pharos of Alexandria was regarded as one of the wonders of the world. The tower tow-er is stated to have been GOO feet in height It was destroyed by earthquake In the Thirteenth century, cen-tury, but remains are said to have been visible as late as 1350. The name Pharos became the general term for all lighthouses, and the term pharolngy has been used for the science of lighthouse construction. |