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Sunken Treasures: Exploring 5 Lost Cities Beneath the Waves

The ruins of extinct civilizations can be found submerged beneath the oceans and seas, providing fascinating windows into the past and vanished societies. Once thriving centres of human activity, these underwater lost towns are now mysterious remains caused by natural calamities, increasing sea levels, or deliberate flooding. Investigating these submerged cities reveals historical secrets while highlighting the brittleness and adaptability of human civilization to changing climatic conditions. Let's explore the five submerged vanished cities.


What are the techniques used for finding the submerged treasures?

A wide range of advanced technologies, such as sonar imaging, remote sensing, underwater robots, geophysical surveys, diving expeditions, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), are used in the search and investigation of underwater lost cities. Comprehensive maps of the seabed are produced by side-scan and multibeam sonar devices, and abnormalities are identified from the surface using remote sensing techniques. In addition to geophysical surveys and diving trips, precisely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) outfitted with cameras and sensors enable accurate underwater exploration. The integration and analysis of spatial data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) makes it easier to comprehend structures and submerged landscapes. By utilising these technologies in conjunction with conventional archaeological techniques, scholars may unearth and examine submerged cities with previously unheard-of precision and profundity.


Olous:

Olous, often spelt Olus, was an ancient city in the Aegean Sea that was situated on the island of Crete. Archaeological evidence points to its presence close to the present-day Elounda on the northeastern coast of Crete, while its precise position is still unknown. Olous probably prospered during the Classical and Hellenistic periods, profiting from its advantageous seaside position for commerce and marine activity, despite its obscurity when compared to other ancient Cretan cities. The exact history, architecture, and ultimate destiny of the region are still unknown, adding to the attraction of ancient Crete and the Mediterranean in general.

Photo credit-unie.m


Yonaguni Monument:

Off the shore of Yonaguni Island in Japan is a mystery underwater building known as the Yonaguni Monument. The monument is made up of enormous stone structures that resemble man-made terraces, stairs, and columns. While some academics contend that the structures at Yonaguni Monument are entirely natural, others think they may represent the ruins of a 5,000-year-old city or ceremonial complex. A diver by the name of Kihachiro Aratake made the discovery of the Yonaguni Monument in 1986 off the shore of Yonaguni Island in Japan. While diving in the region, Aratake came discovered the underwater rock formations, which resemble architectural aspects. In order to comprehend the nature and genesis of the monument, scholars have carried out in-depth investigations and surveys since that time.


Heracleion (Thonis):

Near the Mediterranean Sea's Nile River mouth was the ancient Egyptian city of Heracleion, also called Thonis. Heracleion was formerly a thriving port and commercial center that was documented in ancient writings and shown in artwork. The city's remains, which have been submerged under the water for more than a millennium, provide insights into ancient Egyptian religious rituals, trading networks, and marine culture. The Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities and the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology (IEASM) collaborated on an expedition that led to the discovery of Heracleion in 2000. The sunken remains of Heracleion are located in the Abu Qir Bay region off the coast of Egypt. Archaeologists identified them using sophisticated underwater surveying techniques including side-scan sonar and magnetometers.


Dwarka:

A fabled ancient city called Dwarka appears in Hindu scriptures including the Puranic and Mahabharata. Hindu mythology describes Dwarka as the capital of Lord Krishna's empire, where it was regarded as a wealthy and magnificent metropolis. Although its precise position is still up for discussion, some scholars think Dwarka may have been drowned beneath the Arabian Sea off the coast of modern-day Gujarat, India. There has been conjecture that the underwater surveys and archaeological digs in the region have uncovered submerged structures and artifacts, which may be vestiges of the mythical Dwarka city. Hindu mythology and archaeological curiosity drove the hunt for Dwarka. Under the guidance of ancient books such as the Mahabharata, which mention the city of Dwarka, marine archaeologist S. R. Rao oversaw underwater excavations off the coast of Gujarat, India, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The presence of the ancient city was confirmed by underwater constructions and artefacts found during these trips.


Pavlopetri:

Pavlopetri is a historic underwater city in Greece that is situated off the coast of southern Laconia. With ruins of houses, streets, and tombs that date back more than 5,000 years, Pavlopetri is said to be one of the oldest submerged towns in the world, having existed during the Bronze Age. Dr. Nicholas Flemming, an underwater archaeologist, found the city in 1967 after identifying the underwater remains as a prehistoric village. Pavlopetri is still a key location for underwater archaeology and study, and it provides insightful information on early Bronze Age social organization, nautical trade, and urban layout.


In summary, the investigation of underwater lost cities offers an intriguing fusion of modern technology and history.


Until next time, stay happy and stay safe.

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