Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 19 hrs ago
Stone ruins found underwater in Turkey’s Lake Van
Divers recorded stone structures underwater in Lake Van, Turkey, at depths of more than 23 metres.
The images show a circular structure, connected walls and a passage about 45 metres long.
The site was first identified in 2017, and newer recordings have revealed more of its extent.
Researcher Matthew LaCroix estimates the structures may be at least 11,700 years old, but that age is not an agreed archaeological dating.
Other researchers link them to the Urartian period, around 3,000 years ago, or to the medieval period, about 1,550 years ago.
LaCroix thinks the structures could be part of a larger ancient complex, but a lost city has not been confirmed.
The ruins lie about 145 kilometres from the Durupınar formation, which some people associate with Noah’s Ark, but no evidence links the ruins to the Ark.
The structures’ age, original purpose and full extent remain uncertain.
Divers recorded stone ruins more than 23 metres underwater in Turkey’s Lake Van.
The structures include a circular feature, connected walls and a passage about 45 metres long.
Researcher Matthew LaCroix estimates the ruins may be at least 11,700 years old, but that dating is not accepted as a consensus.
Other researchers associate the structures with the Urartian period, about 3,000 years ago, or the medieval period, about 1,550 years ago.
No evidence presented establishes a connection between the ruins and Noah’s Ark.
- Who
- Divers recorded the ruins; researcher Matthew LaCroix gave an estimate of their age.
- What
- Stone structures, including a circular feature, connected walls and a passage, were found underwater.
- When
- The site was first identified in 2017; more recent recordings showed the structures more clearly.
- Where
- Lake Van, Turkey, more than 23 metres underwater.
- Why
- Not stated.
LaCroix
Other researchers
Age of the ruins
LaCroix
LaCroix estimates they may be at least 11,700 years old, based on geological information about nearby volcanic eruptions.
Other researchers
Other researchers associate them with the Urartian period, about 3,000 years ago, or the medieval period, about 1,550 years ago.
Underwater filmmaker Tahsin Ceylan first identified the site.
Newer images allowed divers to observe the extent of the structures more clearly.
- Depth
- More than 23 metres
- Passage length
- About 45 metres
- Distance from Durupınar
- About 145 kilometres
- Lake Van area
- About 3,755 square kilometres
- LaCroix’s age estimate
- At least 11,700 years