At the bottom of the lake they discovered a fortress from 3000 years ago! - video

An unusual discovery was made by archaeologists exploring the waters of the deepest lake in Turkey. During their research they came across ancient ruins, more than 3,000 years old. The structure was most likely built by the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Urat, which was first mentioned in the 13th century BC.

Underwater archaeologists from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, while conducting an exploration in the waters of Wan Lake, could not believe their luck and what they were seeing. For during a routine reconnaissance they came across the ruins of a fortress, 3,000 years old!

-- Advertisement --

Initial examination classified the structure as dating from the Iron Age and probably built by the Urat civilisation (also known as Ararat, Biajnili or the Kingdom of the Van).

This was not the first time scientists had undertaken an exploration of the waters of Lake Wan. It had already been speculated that similar finds could take place here. According to scientists, thousands of years ago, the water level in this place was lower by up to several hundred metres (the maximum depth in Lake Wan is 451 m, while the average is 171 m).

[blockquote style=”2″]”There had been a rumour for years that there might be something underwater there, but most archaeologists and officials from the museum told us we wouldn’t find anything. But the survey was started and it turned out to be a good move,” said Tahsin Ceylan, head of underwater work.[/blockquote]

The building has been preserved to a very decent degree. The walls of the fortress still rise to a height of 3-4 metres. However, the fortress is only a part of the whole complex of buildings, which stretches for one kilometre!

During last year’s research, archaeologists managed to find a four-kilometre area covered with stalagmite-like objects, which they called ‘underwater fairy chimneys’. Archaeologists have also come across slightly younger finds, such as Seljuk graves from 1,000 years ago and even a Soviet ship from 1948.

[blockquote style=”2″]”Many civilizations, settlements and people lived around Wan Lake. They called this lake the upper sea and believed it hid many secrets. With this in mind, we will work to uncover these secrets,” Ceylan explains[/blockquote].

The Urat civilisation and the Kingdom of Wan existed in what is now eastern Turkey, Iran and Armenia. Their rivalry for supremacy and influence with Assyria, with whom they waged numerous wars, has passed into history. Eventually it was the Assyrians who turned the balance of victory in their favour and the Kingdom of Wan disappeared from world maps around the 6th century BC.

Source: dailysabah.com, jagran.com

[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”31298″]