Explore cities submerged for thousands of years

With floods, natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, bad weather and changes in sea levels can destroy structures in a day that took hundreds of years to build. How are some lost civilizations now buried in the depths?

Sunken Roman statue at Baiae, Italy As humans spread across continents and populations exploded, trade between civilizations became more frequent. Coastal settlements allowed larger ships to come and go, increasing trade and boosting the local economy, with many port towns being built as a way to access rare goods and wealth. have. But the riverbank is not always a safe place to settle down. Saeftinghe Swamp, Netherlands A swamp in the Netherlands known as the Sinking Lands of Saeftinghe, the area was once a prosperous village. In the 13th century, humans drained the swamp so that they could build on the fertile land; they also built dykes around the reclaimed land to protect it from flooding. Much of the land around Saeftinghe was lost in the flood of 1570. Dutch soldiers fighting in the war for independence from the Spaniards were forced to destroy the last dyke barrier. while defending Antwerp, allowing Scheldt’s waters to take over the town. However, a local legend tells a slightly different story, blaming the flood of 1570 on the rampage of a mermaid held captive by the townspeople. Today, the settlement is buried under layers of sand and clay, although bricks have been recovered that may have belonged to a monastery due to the floods. Caribbean Pirate Paradise The Caribbean pirate’s paradise of Port Royal, Jamaica was known as “the worst city on Earth”, before a devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami pushed two-thirds of the town under waves. The violent shaking liquefied the sand beneath about 2,000 brick buildings, which were displaced and appeared to flow into the sea. Of the town’s estimated 6,500 inhabitants at the time, 2,000 are believed to have perished in the earthquake and tsunami. More than 3,000 people died from injury and disease afterward, according to UNESCO. Salt beach in Germany This place was once a busy trading port. Rungholt’s exact location – long regarded as a legend – remains unclear, although artifacts and evidence of tillage found in the Wadden Sea suggest its existence. a trading port. The flood of Saint Marcellus, also known as the “Great Drowning of Men”, is believed to be the culprit behind the town’s disappearance. High tides caused by extratropical cyclones ravaged the coasts of northern Germany and Denmark, killing thousands. Atlit Yam, Israel The oldest settlement ever discovered in the Mediterranean with interesting rock structures such as Scotland’s Stonehenge. This Neolithic village lies 8 to 12 meters deep under the Mediterranean Sea, hidden for more than 8,000 years until marine archaeologist Ehud Galili discovered it while surveying sand for shipwrecks in 2014. 1984. It is now considered one of the oldest underwater settlements ever discovered. Careful excavations have uncovered rectangular houses with fireplaces and the remains of a dry rock well. One of the most interesting finds is a megalithic structure – similar to Scotland’s Stonehenge – built around a stream, made of seven giant stones weighing around 600 kg each. Burial sites and human remains have also been excavated. One study suggested that a tsunami may have caused the settlement to be abandoned. Baiae, Italy Baiae was once a spa town in Rome that was famous for its debauchery. Underground pressure in the area causes the land to rise and fall, and much of its ancient history is now below sea level. Notably, the underwater remains of the Pisonian Mansion and the statue of Nymphaeum decorated by Emperor Claudius were sunk deep into the water. In addition, several prominent Romans visited the resort town during its heyday, including Julius Caesar, emperors Hadrian and Septimius Severus, generals Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great) and Gaius Marius and politician Lucius Licinius Lucullus. Underwater city for over 3,000 years in Greece Hy The city of Pavlopetri, Greece has been submerged for more than 3,000 years. The ruins of Pavlopetri were discovered in 1967, and analyzes of building materials and pottery shards show them to be about 5,000 years old. The town remained above ground for 2,000 years before it could be sunk by earthquakes. The layout of the town has been perfectly preserved 4 meters under the waves, with streets, buildings and tombs eroded over time but still visible. At least 15 buildings have been identified. Thonis-Heracleion, Egypt A statue of a Nile god found underwater is important evidence of the area’s existence. Located northwest of Alexandria on the Nile Delta, Thonis-Heracleion was a famous trading port before earthquakes weakened the land and dragged it under salt water. The area is full of artifacts, but the colossal 6-ton statue of the Nile god Hapi is one of the most important finds among the ruins.