Discovery of Ancient Submerged City in Kyrgyzstan's Silk Road Region

Legends of lost cities like Atlantis may have some basis in reality, as researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered remnants of a submerged city beneath the waters of Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan.

Issyk-Kul Lake, the eighth deepest lake in the world, is a large saline body of water reaching depths of up to 668 meters. Under its shallow surface lie the remains of a medieval city, including an Islamic cemetery, large ceramic artifacts, and remnants of brick structures.

Researchers believe the city featured mosques, religious schools, public baths, and possibly grain mills, as reported in the Daily Mail. Valery Koltschenko, the expedition leader, described the site as a significant trading hub along the historic Silk Road.

Catastrophic Event Similar to Pompeii

The findings indicate that the city was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the 15th century, an event likened by scientists to the catastrophe of Pompeii. However, it is likely that the inhabitants had evacuated before the disaster struck.

During their investigation of the Turo-Ayger area, northwest of the lake, archaeologists identified four submerged zones at depths ranging from one to four meters. These zones included collapsed buildings, wooden columns, large grain mills, and a 13th-century Islamic cemetery, where the skeletons were oriented towards Mecca in accordance with Islamic traditions.

The Russian Geographical Society, which funded the project, confirmed that "all evidence suggests that an ancient city indeed existed here." Samples have been sent for mass spectrometry to accurately date the artifacts.

Part of the Silk Road

The settlement is believed to have been part of the Silk Road network, which thrived between the 2nd century BC and the mid-15th century, serving as a central point for the exchange of goods and ideas between Asia and Europe. The devastating earthquake led to a shift in population distribution and the collapse of urban civilization in the region, causing the city to remain submerged beneath Issyk-Kul's waters for centuries until its recent revelation by science.