Let's consider one anthropological hypothesis that allows for the possibility that prehistoric humanity achieved a high degree of technological progress. At the moment, there is evidence that ancient people used much more advanced technology than we can imagine. Most of the claims are confirmed in dozens of ancient cities found at the bottom of oceans across the planet.
There are absolutely amazing discoveries, such as the “Yonaguni structures” off the coast of Japan or the submerged “Mega City” that was accidentally discovered off the northeast coast of Cuba. These discoveries confirm the validity of what was called geographical mythology. Stories such as "Atlantis", "Mu" or "The Land of Thulia". Every few years, these "long-sunken discoveries" only confirm the hypothesis of prehistoric empires.
Urban architecture from unimaginable times
A typical example of the archaeological ruins described above was found in the waters of the western coast of India, in the Gulf of Kabay, at a depth of 120 feet. While checking the degree of water pollution, a very large city was accidentally discovered, the age of which dates back to approximately 9,000 years. Using sonar, scientists identified various geometric structures at a depth of approximately 120 feet. Some sites have yielded building material, pottery, sections of walls, ponds, sculptures, bones and human teeth. Determining the age using the radiocarbon method showed that the finds are 9500 years old. Before this discovery was made, anthropologists believed that the site had existed before 2500 BC. there was no civilization. The ancient city found was therefore much older than the previously discovered ancient Harapan civilization, which was considered the oldest in the subcontinent.
Another amazing incident occurred in 1967, when using a particularly deep-sea research submersible at that time. A “road” of sorts has been discovered running along the coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Found at a depth of almost 3,000 feet (approx. 1,000 meters), this road was a straight line more than 15 miles (more than 24 km) long. But what is even more surprising is that the road was made of cement, quite complex in its composition: aluminum, silicon, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Despite its age, the road was in excellent condition, washed by a current that kept it constantly clean.
Of course, this forgotten road can give odds to our modern highways. Thanks to the presence of special wheels on the research bathyscaphe, it was even possible to ride along the mysterious highway. Later, scientists studying the area discovered a series of monolithic structures at the end of the road. But whose technology made it possible to build such a long paved road that has remained in excellent condition, despite the fact that it is already more than 10,000 years old?
A more recent discovery of the same type was made in 2004. The tsunami that devastated the coasts of Southeast Asia also moved large mountains of sand from the coast of Tamil Nadu in India. The storm cleared away centuries of dust, leading to the discovery of the mythical city of Mahabalipuram. According to local legend, the city of Mahabalipuram suffered a great flood 1000 years ago, submerging in water in one day because the gods became jealous of its beauty. Six of the seven temples were flooded with water, the seventh temple remained on the coast. A team of 25 divers from the Archaeological Research Center of India took a detailed look at the bottom surface covered with man-made structures located between 15 and 25 feet under water. The submerged ruins extended over several square miles and were within one mile of the coast. According to official data, the antiquity of these structures ranges from 1,500 to 1,200 years, although some researchers claim that they are at least 6,000 years old.
Yonaguni buildings
Classified by some scientists as the "archaeological find of the century", the structures located near the Japanese island of Yonaguni consist of ancient architectural structures in the form of columns, hexagons, stairs, streets, galleries and even a step pyramid. Although according to the most conservative hypotheses it is believed that the structures of Yonaguni are the result of increased seismic activity, nevertheless, the geometry of the rocks and their location in relation to each other indicate that the remains of a flooded city are located here.
Supporting this hypothesis is the presence of chalk stones (which are not found in these areas) and the presence of two depressions adjacent to structures (6.5 feet) that no archaeologist would classify as a natural formation. An oval stone was also found, which at first glance does not belong to the structures described above, but which clearly points to the north. The sunken city of Yonaguni Island is estimated to be approximately 10,000 years old.
Maritime archeology has only become an academic discipline in the last 50 years as technologies for deep-sea exploration have become available. According to marine archaeologist Dr Nick Flemming, there are approximately 500 submerged sites around the globe where remains of man-made structures have been discovered. According to some estimates, at least one fifth of these buildings are over 3,000 years old.
Of course, some of these ancient cities were washed away by floods, but others ended up at the bottom of the seas or oceans under the influence of tectonic shifts in the earth's crust. And, of course, these structures were originally built on land. But the Earth may have been geographically different from how we see it now. Also, the people of that era were much more distant from the period that we today call the “dawn of civilization.”
So, does our current humanity really represent the pinnacle of evolution, or is it just one of the same numerous peaks, in an endless series of cycles that originate in the distant, distant past? The answer to this question may be found at the bottom of our oceans.
Welcome to the lost world!
Modern science today knows of dozens of ancient settlements that rest under the water column. Poor location and natural disasters forever buried large economic and shopping centers at the bottom of reservoirs. Thanks to flooding, almost all of their structures have been preserved in their original form. Cities that went under water are presented in the “Educational” section.
Port Royal, Jamaica
The once world-famous pirate capital, the largest trading city of the New World - Port Royal, was destroyed by natural disasters. A strong earthquake that occurred at the end of the 17th century hid a third of the city under water. The surviving residents moved to the other side of the harbor, which marked the beginning of the founding of modern Kingston.
Port Royal.
After the sinking of Port Royal, the city of Kingston was founded.
Atlit Yam, Israel
According to archaeologists, the settlement, found at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea in 1984, is by far the largest and oldest. Excavations carried out at the site of the discovery give reason to believe that in 7000 BC. the city already existed and was quite developed. Among the well-preserved ruins of buildings, human skeletons can be found. The reason for the flooding of the settlement remains unclear.
Atlit Yam, Israel.
Atlit-Yam on the map.
Pavlopetri, Greece
The water preserved the entire structure of the city in the state in which it was swallowed up by water more than three thousand years ago (approximately 1000 BC). It was this settlement that became the first underwater discovery by archaeologists (with the status of an underwater city). The discovery in 1967 marked the beginning of the search for submerged civilizations. The city was destroyed by powerful tremors.
Pavlopetri, Greece.
Pavperti, Ancient Greece.
Alexandria, Egypt
The search for the legendary ancient Egyptian city did not bring any results until, in 1998, scientists stumbled upon something sunken due to an earthquake in 335 AD. ruins that turned out to be the remains of Alexandria. Thanks to underwater excavations, which, by the way, are still ongoing, more than 140 unique artifacts were found.
Ancient Egyptian flooded cities.
Samabah, Guatemala
Lake Atitlan became the grave of the ancient Mayan city. A volcano that suddenly awoke more than two thousand years ago hid the largest settlement of a great civilization under water. It was discovered relatively recently - in 1996.
Samabah, Guatemala.
Samabakh on the map.
Dwarka, India
The oldest Indian city that went under water became known in 2000, when ancient ruins were found at the bottom of the Gulf of Cambay (depth - 35 m). Some sunken artifacts date back to 7500 BC. e.
Dwarka, India.
Dwarka on the map.
Egyptian Canopus and Heracleion
The wrong location for founding the twin cities played a cruel joke on them: it turned out that both settlements were built over a giant void. Due to the heavy structures, which the soil was no longer able to support, a huge pit of water was formed. A tragedy happened 1200 years ago. Until 1999 (the date of the opening of settlements), the existence of cities raised a lot of doubts.
Heracleion, Egypt.
Unknown underwater city in Cuba
The ruins of a city that went under water were discovered near the coast of Cuba in 2000. The find remains a mystery to archaeologists: scientists cannot yet determine either the people to whom the city belonged (Mayans or Aztecs) or the age of the settlement.
Unknown underwater city, Cuba.
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Many ruins of ancient settlements rest at the bottom, so if the remains of a disappeared city cannot be found on land, archaeologists have to begin underwater excavations. As a result of such expeditions, many secrets of the ancient world were revealed.
Samabah, Guatemala
The ancient Mayan city rests at a depth of 35 meters, in the waters of Lake Atitlan. It was discovered only in 1996 by diver Roberto Samayoa. Scientists suggest that the city sank to the bottom about 2,000 years ago as a result of volcanic activity. Altars, incense burners and other artifacts indicate that this happened suddenly.
Alexandria, Egypt
Due to earthquakes in 335 AD. much of ancient Alexandria was flooded. Among the sunken buildings was the legendary palace of Cleopatra. In 1998, archaeologists managed to find the ruins of the city, including the lost palace. More than 140 artifacts were found there. Excavations continue to this day. Researchers do not rule out the possibility of creating an underwater museum.
Pavlopetri, Greece
Pavlopetri became the very first underwater city to be discovered by archaeologists. Palaces, tombs and other buildings remained almost the same as they were thousands of years ago. The location of the city was first mapped in 2009. Archaeologists were surprised to discover that the city occupies more than 30,000 square meters. Presumably, the city went under water in 1000 BC. as a result of an earthquake.
Atlit Yam, Israel
It is one of the oldest and largest sunken settlements ever discovered. The estimated age of the city's existence is 7000 BC. The remains of the ruins are so well preserved that human skeletons can still be found among the buildings. The city was discovered in 1984. How the city went under water still remains a mystery to scientists. Researchers have put forward many theories: from tsunamis to a gradual rise in sea levels due to melting glaciers.
Port Royal, Jamaica
The main refuge of pirates, smugglers and other scum after the earthquake in 1692 was under water. During underwater excavations, archaeologists found buildings, historical documents and some canned food. There are currently several projects in the pipeline to upgrade the underwater city into a tourist attraction.
Yonaguni Complex, Japan
Near the island of Yonaguni in 1985, a mysterious object was discovered under the water column - a giant monument with numerous terraces. The underwater pyramid is located at a depth of 25 meters. Presumably, the age of the monument is more than 5000 years. Who built it and under what circumstances it ended up under water remains a mystery to scientists.
Heracleion and Canopus, Egypt
Heracleion and Canopus were called sister cities guarding the gates of Egypt. More than 1200 years ago, after the flood, they disappeared under water. Supposedly, the cities were built over giant voids filled with water, and at some point they collapsed under the weight of the structures. Until their discovery in 1999, the only evidence of their existence was the manuscripts of historians and stories from mythology. Ancient ruins were discovered at a depth of 7 meters. With their numerous temples, statues and houses, both cities were literally frozen in time.
Bailly, Italy
During the heyday of the Roman Empire, Bailly was a favorite destination among the aristocracy. The city was destroyed in the 8th century AD by Muslim invaders, and by 1500 it was completely abandoned. Due to volcanic activity, over time the city went under water.
Dwarka, India
Ancient Dwarka was located on the banks of the Gomti River. It is believed that as a result of certain events he sank under water. The ruins were discovered in 2000 at a depth of 35 meters in the Gulf of Cambay. Some of the recovered artifacts date back to 7500 BC.
Unknown ruins, Yucatan Strait, Cuba
Not far from the coast of Cuba in 2000, a group of scientists discovered the ruins of an ancient city underwater. Archaeologists suggest that the structures were built several thousand years ago by an advanced civilization. So far, scientists have only computer models of the city and they continue to study the megalithic ruins.
These Atlantis have been waiting in the wings for thousands of years to be explored and told about them to the world. In the meantime, these are unique diving spots.
For centuries, humanity has been dreaming of finding the mythical Atlantis, and the depths of the sea are full of ruins of absolutely real cities. Some of them once destroyed thousands of people under their rubble, others were abandoned and forgotten. Architectural monuments of ancient civilizations and empires lie dormant under a thick layer of silt. Many have been explored and protected by UNESCO, while most have been waiting in the wings for thousands of years.
Heraklion-Thonis, Egypt
Heraklion, or Thonis, is famous for its numerous historical finds. In this underwater city, resting at a 50-meter depth in the Gulf of Abu Qir, where the Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea, household items, jewelry, ruins of palaces and temples, ancient statues were found under a layer of sand... In addition, in 6 km from the coast to this day the wreckage of 64 Egyptian ships rests. According to the famous underwater archaeologist Frank Goddio, it could take up to 200 years to study all the underwater artifacts! Most of the finds were preserved in good condition, despite being underwater for 2000 years.
The underwater city was named after one of the artifacts - a slab on which it was written that it should be erected in “Herakleion-Thonis”. The city owes its double name to its rich Greco-Egyptian history. Heraklion - the name is Greek: according to the mention of Herodotus, the heroine of the myths, Helen the Beautiful, with her beloved Paris, fled to Heraklion from the just wrath of her husband, the Spartan king Menelaus. The Roman part of history is notable for the fact that the famous Cleopatra was crowned in the city of Thonis - as the Egyptians called it.
One of the most popular versions of the disappearance of the city under water is an earthquake that led to a tsunami.
Samabah, Guatemala
The city of Samabah rests in the depths of the beautiful Lake Atitlan, surrounded by three volcanoes. The lake is considered sacred - according to legend, the first Mayans came out of it. At a depth of 30 m, traces of several buildings of various sizes and an ancient temple with a preserved grand staircase were discovered. The flooded buildings date back to the period when the Mayan state had not yet reached its greatest prosperity - 250 AD. e. In addition, ceramics were found, including altars and censers, as well as several steles decorated with carvings. This confirms the scientists' guess that the city was a Mayan religious center.
Found ceramics indicate that the residents left their houses in a hurry, abandoning all their property. Scientists suggest that the city sank to the bottom about 2000 years ago as a result of volcanic activity.
Samabah was discovered by archaeologist and diver Roberto Samayoa during one of his amateur dives. The first part of the name “sam” comes from the surname of the discoverer, and the second - “abah” - translated from the Mayan language means “stone”. Samabah is included in the tourist route to the main Mayan cities in Guatemala.
Dwarka, India
Dwarka is another city of legends. This city is mentioned as the capital of the god Krishna in the Puranas and the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic. Legend has it that Dwaraka was built in one night at the behest of Krishna. According to legend, the capital existed for about 10,000 years, and seven days after the death of Krishna, the city was swallowed up by the sea.
In ancient legends, Dwarka is described as a very rich and unusually beautiful capital: “... the city was built in the middle of the sea: it had straight roads, wide streets and alleys, as well as wonderful gardens and parks where ... wishing trees grew. There were many palaces and gates in the city... Almost all the palaces were unusually high.”
We found it almost by accident. In the late 90s, Indian archaeologists explored the tidal zone in the Banapur area and discovered the remains of a stone wall that were almost invisible in the sea. When scientists continued their search with underwater equipment, at a depth of 7 to 40 m, the ruins of an ancient city were found: walls, buildings and temples, paved roads, sculptures, coins. Underwater excavations were new to India at that time, but research continued until funding problems arose.
Shi-Chen, China
The uniqueness of the underwater city of Shi-Chen (translated as “City of the Lion”) is that it owes its appearance not to nature, but to man. About 50 years ago, the Chinese authorities built a hydroelectric dam, for which 377 villages and 27 cities were flooded, and 300,000 people were resettled in other cities.
Surprisingly, while the ancient city of Shi-Chen stood on the surface, no one was interested in it. And it is the formation of the artificial lake Qingdao that the Lion City owes its fame as one of the most beautiful underwater cities. In addition, the waters of the purest fresh lake have become a favorable environment for the preservation of historical material. Scientists believe that relics are better preserved underwater, so they are not brought to the surface.
The buildings of the city of Shi-Chen date back to 621 AD. e., but in the same lake an even more ancient city of He-Chen, founded in 208 AD, was discovered. e. It is now known that the lake hides about three more cities, but exploring the underwater depths is a very expensive and time-consuming process. But at the site where Shi-Chen and He-Chen were discovered, the Chinese Ministry of Tourism built a diving center and everyone can see the ancient ruins with their own eyes.
Other cities destroyed by people are in our video collection.
Bailly, Italy
Also one of the favorite places for divers. On the site of the found city, the Bayi underwater archaeological park was built. Part of the park, including the castle of Bailly and the half-submerged temple of Serapis, is located on land, the other is at a depth of 3 m to 24 m. Divers can “walk” along the underwater streets, visit Nero’s villa and even swim into the Roman baths, built about 1,500 years ago .
The city was famous for its hot springs, which contributed to its prosperity as an ancient “spa resort”. Thermal baths at that time were valued not only for their healing properties, but also as an opportunity to have fun; political clubs even met there. And the residents of this city knew a lot about entertainment - the resort city wasted its life in feasts and pleasures. Seneca even called the city “the hotel of all vices.” It has been established that once rich and beautiful, Bailly was sacked by the Saracens and after that, abandoned and deserted, it gradually sank under water as a result of volcanic activity.
Port Royal, Jamaica
The sunken city of Port Royal did not reveal ancient palaces and statues of ancient deities to scientists - it is of interest to others. Founded by the Spaniards in the 16th century, Port Royal was a center of trade in the Caribbean, and after passing from the Spaniards to the British, it became a “pirate Babylon.” The gangs that took a fancy to the city turned it into a brothel with taverns and brothels. The slave trade flourished here. Therefore, the earthquake that occurred in 1692, which almost completely flooded the city of many thousands, was considered by contemporaries to be God's punishment for debauchery. We have already written about the tsunami that destroyed many cities on the planet.
In 1959 and 1966, American archaeologists organized expeditions to the sunken port, but the valuables remaining after the raids were of exclusively historical interest. Scientists discovered remains of food and drink, from which it was possible to establish what they ate and drank at that time. Life can also be judged from the found tobacco leaves, smoking pipes, rum distillation apparatus, historical documents, maps and silver jewelry.
There are currently several projects under development to upgrade the underwater city into a tourist attraction.
Pavlopetri, Greece
Pavlopetri is unique in that it is the first underwater city discovered by archaeologists. It is very ancient - artifacts found indicate that the first settlement on this site dates back to the Aegean civilization, dating back to 3000–1000 BC. On an area of 30,000 m2, scientists found the remains of residential and religious buildings, as well as a cemetery. It is believed that the city suffered from numerous earthquakes, as a result of which it was flooded.
The underwater ruins are located at a depth of 3–4 m in the south of mainland Greece, in Laconia, near the city of Pavlopetri, which gave the name to the underwater city. What the city was called in ancient times, as well as the dominant form of government, have not yet been determined. Scientists suggest that it was a major port center. According to Dr. John Henderson, director of underwater research, it is “one of the few places in the world where you can literally swim along the sunken streets of an ancient city and peer curiously into one of the graves.”
The history of the ancient almost mythical civilization, Atlantis, still excites the imagination. The thought that the city simply went under water due to natural disasters excites the mind. Therefore, in every new settlement that is found under water, they see the mythical Atlantis.
The Greeks called this city Heraklion, and the Egyptians called it Tronis. Once on the northern coast of Egypt and considered one of the most important port cities in the Mediterranean, it is now at the bottom of the sea it once served. Recently, a 1200-year-old city was found underwater and is gradually revealing its secrets. Artifacts that are being brought to the surface indicate that at one time it was a large trading center and a busy port. More than 60 ancient ships that were sunk in the port area for various reasons were also found, along with hundreds of anchors, coins, tablets with inscriptions in Greek and Egyptian languages, and large sculptures from temples. These temples, dedicated to the gods, remained almost untouched.
The city was the official port of Egypt from 664 to 332 BC. e. Now it is located far from the coast, at a distance of 6.5 km. As in many other sunken cities, the artifacts have been preserved in good condition, which helps to recreate as accurately as possible pictures of the life of the cities, their architecture and layout. If you answer the question of how cities ended up at the bottom of the sea, then most likely as a result of an earthquake. Since the city was located on the coast, due to geological processes it could easily go under water.
9. Phanagoria, Russia/Greece
The ancient city of Phanagoria, the hero of myths and works of art, really existed. If you read the history of Rome, it becomes known that in 63 BC. e. The uprising ended with most of the city being burned and the wife and children of Mithridates VI being killed by an angry mob. For a long period it was believed that this was just a myth, until archaeologists studied the underwater necropolis of Phanagoria and discovered a tombstone, the inscription on which read: “Hypsicrates, wife of Mithridates VI.” Hypsicrates is the masculine version of the name Hypsicratia. This tombstone confirmed the reality of the legend that Hypsicratia was bald, taciturn and courageous, so her husband addressed her by calling her by her male name.
Phanagoria is the largest Greek city, which is now located in Russia. It was founded on the Black Sea coast in the 6th century BC. and today is the third sunken city that may be the legendary Atlantis. Although most of it is today covered with a thick layer of sand, scientists highlight port structures and a large necropolis. Pedestals on which large statues stood and a large number of urban artifacts were also found. After existing for 1,500 years, the city was abandoned in the 10th century, but the reason for this is not known. Since the 18th century, the city has attracted the attention of archaeologists, but excavations are proceeding very slowly due to the characteristics of the bottom and the ball of sand, the width of which in some places is 7 m.
Part of ancient Alexandria is located at the bottom of the ocean. The 2,000-year-old city has been the subject of archaeological excavations for decades. This is a long and complex process that overcomes a number of difficulties associated with the depth and insufficient visibility that hides the part of the city that sank as a result of the earthquake. In addition to the royal palace, temples, quarters, military buildings and outposts, large private complexes were found - all preserved in excellent condition over the centuries. Archaeologists also found Cleopatra's palace complex, which she and Mark Antony called home, the place where she committed suicide to avoid surrendering to her captors.
The huge granite statues remain on the ocean floor, where they once fell, as a result of a series of earthquake tremors between the 4th and 8th centuries BC. e.. There is also the house of Mark Antony, Timomium, where he hid during difficult periods of his life. Archaeologists managed to clear sand from the temple of Isis, statues of Cleopatra's father and son and other artifacts, including dishes, jewelry, amulets, small statues, ritual boats, which were raised to the surface. In 1994, archaeologists explored the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In order for those interested to see the finds, it is planned to create an underwater museum that will allow tourists to stay dry while going underwater and walking around the sunken city. Difficulties with financing and construction hinder the implementation of plans.
The Chinese city of Shicheng was founded 1,300 years ago, and most of the buildings appeared over the next 300 years after its foundation. The unique architecture includes buildings dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties of the 14th century. Nothing can resist progress, and the city of Shincheng could not resist; in 1959, it was flooded as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power station. More than 300,000 residents left their ancestral homes. Today the city is underwater at a depth of 40 m and is well preserved.
The city is not completely lost. In 2001, the Chinese government became interested in its fate and found that it was quite well preserved, if not for the water, it seems that the city continues to live. The walls date back to the 16th century and still stand today, including the city gates and numerous statues. Today, divers are discovering this city and its greatness in a new way for themselves and the world.
While most sunken cities are difficult to reach physically or because intensive excavations are underway, the ruins of the city of Olus are accessible to everyone. It was founded on the northeastern coast of Crete and had between 30,000 and 40,000 inhabitants. The city was not built on rocks, like all Cretan cities, but on sand, like most sunken cities. A powerful shock from the earthquake, and he found himself under water. Today, scuba and snorkelers can take exciting underwater excursions, exploring ruins and finding sunken artifacts such as coins. Some structures, such as walls, are partially above the surface of the sea.
The Lapita tribe, settlers of Micronesia and Polynesia, settled on the islands after leaving Taiwan and East Asia around 2000 BC. e.. In 500 BC. they founded several settlements on the Pacific islands. These people were talented sailors and artisans, especially in the field of making tableware. More than 4,000 pieces of Lapita pottery have been found on the Samoan islands.
Archaeologists believe that Mulifanua was founded 3,000 years ago during the Great Pacific Island Migration. It confirms the existence of the Lapita. At that time the island was sandy and wide. It is unknown how many other settlements were here, as over the centuries water and sand have hidden material evidence, except for the shards that are found on the coast.
In 2002, the ruins of an ancient city were found in the Indian Gulf. Since they are located at a depth of 40 m, they were found completely by accident by a team that was investigating the level of pollution in the water area. This discovery forced archaeologists to reconsider the time frame for the existence of civilization in this region. The city was founded 5,000 years ago. Initially, the oldest city was considered to be 4000-year-old Harappa, which was considered the cradle of civilization. The Mesopotamian city was known for its sewerage and water collection systems, well-planned streets, ports, and fortifications. Rumor has it that it was founded by direct descendants who survived after their first city sank.
Shards, beads, sculptures and human bones have been found at the site of the newly discovered sunken city. According to carbon dating, the human remains are 9,500 years old. At that time the sea level was much lower. The city was located on the very shore and was swallowed by a wave of rising water as a result of melting glaciers. The remains of the settlement were built near the river bed.
There are many legends surrounding Lake Titicaca. Even today, locals consider it sacred. The depth of the lake and poor visibility complicate exploration of the bottom, and ignorance gives rise to legends. Recently, a team of research divers from the Akakor Geographical Exploring Society completed 200 dives to the ruins of the sunken city. At the bottom were found the ruins of temples, fragments of roads, walls and terraces on which agricultural plants were once grown. For a long time, one could hear talk among the locals about the sunken city, but only thanks to the development of technology did the dive become possible. The remains of the temple complex were found at a depth of 20 meters when divers followed a road found at the bottom, which led them to the find.
From the mythology of the Incas it is known that the lake is the cradle of the birth of their civilization. Here was the city of Wanaku and the burial place of the golden statues of the gods, which were hidden from the conquerors and then lost. At the bottom of the lake, researchers found many artifacts, including fragments of gold items, ceramic statues, stone statues, boats, human and animal bones, and containers of incense.
Atlit Yam is the name given to several Neolithic structures that have been discovered on the banks of the Carmel. These structures included stone walls, foundations of houses and other buildings, circular foundations and ancient roads. It was estimated that the structures were built 7,550 and 8,000 years ago, and were destroyed as a result of a tsunami caused by volcanic activity. In the center of the settlement there was a structure in the form of stones laid out in a circle, reminiscent of a place of sacrifice, and there was also a source of water. Some stones stood upright, while others lay down; most likely, they played the role of a table for sacrifices.
Human remains were also found here, including the skeletons of 65 men, women and children. A detailed examination of the finds led to the identification of traces of tuberculosis, as a result of which people died. This is the world's first manifestation of the deadly disease, dating back 7,000-8,000 years. Stone, flint and bone tools were also found. In addition, seeds of local plants were discovered: flax and barley. Finds indicate that people not only fished, but also raised livestock and grew crops.
Baiae is an ancient Roman city whose lifestyle was similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. The nobility gathered here for games and relaxation. Julius Caesar and Nero visited it. There were many hot springs in the city, as it stood in an area of active geological processes, which contributed to the development of the bath business and spa procedures. In the 8th century, the Saracens captured the city, after which its former glory never returned to it, and around 1500 the inhabitants abandoned it. After some time, the city gradually sank into the waters of the bay.
Today these places are valuable from an archaeological point of view. Many tourists come here by boat to dive in search of artifacts. A statue of Odysseus, villas, arcades and the ruins of artificial ponds for breeding oysters and fish were found here. The researchers also found the famous Villa of Nero, which was built in the 1st century BC. Divers “walk” along the underwater city streets and swim into the once famous Roman baths. Although it must be admitted that there are many more sunken ships, so the chance of finding one is much higher than discovering the lost Atlantis.