Plato’s Atlantis? Sunken 15th-Century City Found In World’s 8th Deepest Lake | World News
New Delhi: Centuries ago, tremors shook the earth so violently that an entire city was flooded. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato named this city Atlantis and described it as a beautiful and highly civilized city located on an island, unique in terms of its magnificence and development.
Scientists have been studying Atlantis for generations. Russian archaeologists now claim to have found a sunken city in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake. The city seems rich, orderly and developed compared to its period. News of this discovery brought Atlantis back into global discussion.
Flooded After the 15th Century Earthquake
Add Zee News as Preferred Source
Researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences stated that the city was buried in Issyk-Kul Lake after the devastating earthquake in the 15th century. Issyk-Kul is the eighth deepest lake in the world. Research continues and excavations are carried out on its shores.
Beneath the lake the city reveals signs of immense prosperity. Archaeologists have found evidence of extensive commercial areas. The buildings are constructed of solid brick, stone and wooden beams. The fact that the mills used to grind grain and flour survived under water indicates the economic life of the city.
Mysterious City with a Huge Cemetery
According to the Russian team, the city was quite large. A public building thought to be a mosque, bathhouse, madrasah or school was unearthed. There was a large cemetery in the area with graves in accordance with traditional Islamic practices. The bodies were buried with their heads facing north and their faces towards the Qibla (the direction Muslims face during prayer).
Residents fled before the flood
Archaeologists announced that although the city was flooded, most of the residents were evacuated before the disaster. Later, nomadic groups returned and settled around the lake, creating smaller villages.
Plato’s Atlantis remains controversial. While some dismiss this as a myth, others argue that it may exist. The discovery of Issyk-Kul shows that a prosperous city once stood here, but is now under water, lost in time.
