Experts say a lion revealed by the tsunami is from the 7th Century
Divers have been scouring the site for three years
Posted on 03/03/2005 12:52:31 AM PST by nickcarraway
Indian divers have found more evidence of an ancient port city, apparently revealed by December's tsunami. Stone structures that are "clearly man-made" were seen on the seabed off the south coast, archaeologists say.
They could be part of the mythical city of Mahabalipuram, which legend says was so beautiful that the gods sent a flood that engulfed six of its seven temples.
Other relics were revealed when the powerful waves washed away sand as they smashed into the Tamil Nadu coast.
'Clear pattern'
The Archaeological Survey of India launched the diving expedition after residents reported seeing a temple and other structures as the sea pulled back just before the tsunami hit.
The new finds were made close to the 7th Century beachfront Mahabalipuram temple, which some say is the structure that survived the wrath of the gods.
"We've found some stone structures which are clearly man-made," expedition leader Alok Tripathi told the AFP news agency.
"They're perfect rectangular blocks, arranged in a clear pattern."
The ancient "gifts" of the tsunami are expected to be presented to an international seminar on maritime archaeology in Delhi next month.
Other discoveries made at Mahabalipuram earlier this month include a granite lion of a similar age to the temple that experts believe had been buried for centuries before the tsunami shifted the sand.
Archaeologists have been working at the site for the last three years, since another diving expedition discovered what appeared to be a submerged city, including at least one temple.
The myths of Mahabalipuram were first written down by British traveller J Goldingham who was told of the "Seven Pagodas" when he visited in 1798.
Ping.
Shades of Atlantis! That myth is a worldwide phenomenon precisely because in all geographical ares alog major fault lines, there lies a sunken city/ civilization. Think of what was buried by the tsunamis.
It's still mind-numbing when you think about the loss associated to the tsunami.
India has a fascinating history. Prior to the 14th century, the state of their civilization was far more advanced than Europe. They were building acqueducts and great cities of stone while Europe was still trying to get out of the dark ages. Then a large part of the subcontinent were forcibly converted to Islam.
How could the see level have been rising before the advent of the automobile?
When the most recent glaciation ended, the ocean levels rose worldwide, flooding what we know as the continental shelf. The shelf has been exposed and submerged alternately a small number of times during the 2 million years or so that humans have been around, making it the likely original home of humans.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest -- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)
I imagine they have some precedent to identify that as a lion because it looks more like a manatee.
[related topics, already in GGG]
Indian Town Sees Evidence Of Ancient Tsunami (1500 ya)
MSNBC/AP | 1-15-2005
Posted on 01/15/2005 4:03:42 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1321591/posts
King Of Stone Age Tribe To Return To Jungle To Rebuild Lives
AFP/Yahoo | 1-12-2005
Posted on 01/12/2005 5:00:25 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1319583/posts
The sea claimed an ancient capital of India. Now it has given it back
The Independent | 14 February 2005 | Jan McGirk
Posted on 02/13/2005 8:05:17 PM PST by CarrotAndStick
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1342602/posts
Tsunami throws up India relics
BBC News | Friday, 11 February, 2005, 13:31 GMT | BBC News
Posted on 02/11/2005 8:30:44 AM PST by CarrotAndStick
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1341135/posts
Tsunami Uncovers Ancient City in India
AP/Red Nova | Feb. 18, 2005
Posted on 02/18/2005 6:12:00 AM PST by Unam Sanctam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345955/posts
What Happened To The Rare Tribes (Tsunami)
Times Of India | 12-28-2004 | Sanjay Dutta/Chandrika Mago
Posted on 12/28/2004 6:34:30 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1309884/posts
[fringe-y]
Gamma Ray Bursts, Earthquakes (The 12/26 tsunami), and Superwaves
etheric.com | Post tsunami | Paul LaViolette
Posted on 02/21/2005 6:40:07 AM PST by frithguild
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1347809/posts
it is not the automobile, it is the industrialization spearheaded by those capitalistic pigdogs the americans that are causing the global warming in order to sell more cocacola and frigidares!!
Ping!
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