We've all heard of the legend of Atlantis - the once great city, submerged under water, unseen yet eerily compelling. But unlike this fictional island there are several real lost cities buried under layers of water waiting to be discovered. Today we bring you 10 lost underwater cities of the ancient world that were once lost in time but has been discovered and are being explored.
5.
Baiae, Italy
An ancient Roman city that was something like the vacation homes of the rich and fabulous . Sitting on a series of volcanic vents, the city had a number of hot springs and this constant source of water was partly responsible in making the place popular. When the water started to rise, fate of Baiae kind of became inevitable. Its visitors found new cities to splurge their golds on. A great number of ruined monuments are found including the Pisonian villa which Emperor Nero had seized in the first century BC from a family who had been plotting to kill him.
4.
Atlit-Yam, Israel
A number of Neolithic settlements located along the Carmel coast are called the Atlit-Yam. A sprawling site built between 7,550 and 8,000 years ago there still remain foundations of houses and roads and wells. The city was wiped out when a sudden Tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption swept the whole city away. In the middle of the city there is a devotional place where supposedly the water spirit was worshipped. Around 65 skeletons an remains of men, women and children who died from tuberculosis which is believed to be one of the first mass deadly disease to sweep the ancient civilisation.
3.
Gulf of Cambay, India
A fairly recent discovery, the Gulf of Cambay was discovered quiet accidentally when an organisation was testing water bodies for water pollution. Following its discovery historians are rethinking if this is the oldest city on Earth, older than the Harappan and Mesopotamian city. Human skeleton and teeth had dated the Gulf of Cambay nearly 9,500 years old. Some even believe that the founder of Harappan civilisation were actually descendants of Gulf of Cambay who left the city before it went under the sea.
2.
Pre-Incan Ruins in Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
Lake Titicaca has got quite a mysterious air about it and many locals consider the place sacred. Sitting at the bottom of the lake among other things is a temple, terraces, roads around 1,500 years old pre-dating the Incas. According to Incas lore the city was called Wanaku and was kind of a deposit bank for stolen gold and treasures by Spanish kings but the treasures were lost in time. After making around 200 dives, the divers from the Akakor Geographical Exploring have recovered several artifacts like stone statues and vessels, gold fragments, bones etc.
1.
Shicheng, China
The foundation of the city was laid over 1,300 years ago and the place thrived for the next three hundred years. The city is believed to have belonged to the Ming and Qing dynasties who started ruling China from 1368. Interestingly the city began to decline after efforts were made towards progress. After the Xin'an Dam and a huge hydroelectric power station were installed. Today sitting beneath 40 meters of water the city walls, gates and statues are magnificently well preserved.
An ancient Roman city that was something like the vacation homes of the rich and fabulous . Sitting on a series of volcanic vents, the city had a number of hot springs and this constant source of water was partly responsible in making the place popular. When the water started to rise, fate of Baiae kind of became inevitable. Its visitors found new cities to splurge their golds on. A great number of ruined monuments are found including the Pisonian villa which Emperor Nero had seized in the first century BC from a family who had been plotting to kill him.
A number of Neolithic settlements located along the Carmel coast are called the Atlit-Yam. A sprawling site built between 7,550 and 8,000 years ago there still remain foundations of houses and roads and wells. The city was wiped out when a sudden Tsunami caused by a volcanic eruption swept the whole city away. In the middle of the city there is a devotional place where supposedly the water spirit was worshipped. Around 65 skeletons an remains of men, women and children who died from tuberculosis which is believed to be one of the first mass deadly disease to sweep the ancient civilisation.
A fairly recent discovery, the Gulf of Cambay was discovered quiet accidentally when an organisation was testing water bodies for water pollution. Following its discovery historians are rethinking if this is the oldest city on Earth, older than the Harappan and Mesopotamian city. Human skeleton and teeth had dated the Gulf of Cambay nearly 9,500 years old. Some even believe that the founder of Harappan civilisation were actually descendants of Gulf of Cambay who left the city before it went under the sea.
Lake Titicaca has got quite a mysterious air about it and many locals consider the place sacred. Sitting at the bottom of the lake among other things is a temple, terraces, roads around 1,500 years old pre-dating the Incas. According to Incas lore the city was called Wanaku and was kind of a deposit bank for stolen gold and treasures by Spanish kings but the treasures were lost in time. After making around 200 dives, the divers from the Akakor Geographical Exploring have recovered several artifacts like stone statues and vessels, gold fragments, bones etc.
The foundation of the city was laid over 1,300 years ago and the place thrived for the next three hundred years. The city is believed to have belonged to the Ming and Qing dynasties who started ruling China from 1368. Interestingly the city began to decline after efforts were made towards progress. After the Xin'an Dam and a huge hydroelectric power station were installed. Today sitting beneath 40 meters of water the city walls, gates and statues are magnificently well preserved.
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