Drone footage reveals lost city beneath Trkiye's Lake Van

by Daily Sabah with IHA
Istanbul Nov 03, 2024 - 11:41 am GMT+3



Drone footage captures the remnants of an ancient city's urban layout submerged in Lake Van, Türkiye, Nov. 3, 2024. (IHA Photo)


Submerged Iron Age structural remains around an islet located in the depths of Lake Van in eastern Türkiye are becoming increasingly visible day by day.

Drone footage clearly reveals a well-defined urban layout in the area, with the remnants believed to date back to the Urartian period. As the water level continues to decrease, the historical and natural artifacts lying at the bottom of the lake are rising to the surface.

This phenomenon, particularly the emergence of ancient settlement areas and old structures, holds significant importance for the region's history and culture. Reduced rainfall and increased evaporation have led to a decline in the lake's level.

Professor Necmettin Elmastaş, rector of Bitlis Eren University (BEÜ), emphasized that these underwater structures need to be dated by relevant experts. In a statement regarding the issue, Elmastaş said: "In recent years, serious droughts have occurred in some areas due to global warming. We can see the effects of this drought in the Lake Van basin as well. Over the past three to four years, there has been a significant decrease in rainfall, leading to a serious drop in water levels. After these levels have decreased, some microbiolites at the bottom of the lake have come to the surface. Additionally, remnants of ancient settlements have also emerged or are about to emerge.

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