Archaeologists Discover Ancient Sunken City in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Lake

Researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences have announced the discovery of a submerged city beneath Issyk-Kul Lake in Kyrgyzstan, suggesting that legends of lost cities may have some basis in reality.

Issyk-Kul Lake, the world's eighth deepest lake, reaches depths of 668 meters. Under its shallow waters lie the remnants of a medieval city, which include an Islamic cemetery, large ceramic vessels, and the remains of buildings made from fired bricks.

Experts believe the city featured mosques, religious schools, public baths, and possibly grain mills, as reported by the Daily Mail. Valery Koltchenko, the head of the mission, characterized the city as a significant trading hub along the historic Silk Road.

Catastrophic Events

The findings suggest that the city was destroyed by a massive earthquake in the 15th century, an event described by scientists as "similar to Pompeii." However, it is likely that the inhabitants had evacuated before this disaster occurred.

During a survey in the Turo-Aigyr region northwest of the lake, archaeologists identified four underwater areas at depths ranging from one to four meters. These included collapsed buildings, wooden columns, large grain mills, and a 13th-century Islamic cemetery, where skeletons were oriented towards the Qibla in accordance with Islamic customs.

The Russian Geographical Society, which funded the project, confirmed that "all evidence indicates that an ancient city indeed existed here." Samples have been sent for dating tests using mass spectrometry technology to accurately determine the age of the remains.

Part of the Silk Road

The settlement is believed to have been part of the Silk Road network that thrived between the 2nd century BC and the mid-15th century, serving as a key point for the exchange of goods and ideas between Asia and Europe. However, the devastating earthquake led to a demographic shift and the collapse of urban civilization in the region, leaving the city hidden beneath Issyk-Kul's waters for centuries until modern science brought it to light today.