Divers find remains of six 'lost temples'

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 04/11/2002 | David Derbyshire

[Pokey78]

A MYSTERIOUS settlement that sank beneath the waves at least 1,200 years ago has been discovered by divers off the south-east coast of India.

Granite blocks and walls that lie 20ft below the surface may be the remains of six "lost temples" that form part of local mythology.

The ruins came to light after the controversial amateur archaeologist and best-selling author Graham Hancock interviewed fisherman for a recent television series.

After hearing accounts of the myth of a submerged city, he and two dozen divers searched the sea bed last week.

India's National Institute of Oceanography, which was involved in the discovery, believes the ruins at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu could be 1,200 to 1,500 years old.

But Mr Hancock, who argues that civilisation predates the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians by thousands of years, believes the city could go back to 3,000 BC.

The ruins were discovered half a mile off the coast by a team from the NIO and the UK-based Scientific Exploration Society. They include remains of walls and scattered carved blocks and stones and may cover several square miles.

According to local legend Mahabalipuram was once home to a great city. The gods became so jealous of its beauty that they sent a flood to swamp the city. Six temples were submerged, leaving just one on the shore.

[NorseWood]

bump

[AFreeBird]

However far and away Mr. Hancock's best work is a book called "The Sign and the Seal".

Thanks for reminding me about that. I started reading it but then got Fingerprints of the Gods and got engrossed in it. I'll have to crack it open again and this time finish it.

He does have some far out theories and researches them quite well. I'd stil like to know how the Egyptians created on the banks of the Nile, an exact replica of the night sky (Orion's Belt) as would have been seen in, what was it; 10,500 BC? if the pyramids were only built around 2,500 BC.

[SurferDoc]

Art Bell has alot of time to fill and gets some truly wacko guests. Occasionally, though he has very interesting people. And Art is a terrific interviewer. His two hours with LtCol.Corso was fascinating. I used to travel late at night and his show was everywhere on the AM dial. (Donning my asbestos suit as I post).

[WKB]

Occasionally, though he has very interesting people

He had Hal Lindsey on one night and Hal gvae him the plan of salvation every chance he got!

[Destructor]

The lost city of Biltooclosetodawata?

[David]

I tend to think the pyramids were built much earlier but by whom, when and how I have not got a clue. Somewhere God says in the Bible that he has left a sign in the boundaries of Egypt--I have wondered if the pyramids might not be the sign. Who knows. I am sure you know, the pyramids are beyond our technical capility to duplicate today. I have a book by some expert on composits that theorizes that the blocks were not carved but are rather poured composits.

Sign and Seal is also very interesting reading. The significant points are that during the period from about 600 BC until about 200 BC, there was a Jewish temple located on the island of Elephantine in the Nile in Egypt. Letters from the priests on the island have turned up. Eugene Falstich used those letters to establish chronology of the Median and Babylonian kings. Hancock's real thesis which I think has considerable merit is that during the reign of Mannasah in Judea, the priests took the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple to a new temple they constructed at Elephantine where they stayed with the Ark until they were kicked out in about 200 BC at which point they proceeded on up the Nile to Lake Tara in Ethopia and then ultimatly to Aksum where the Ark is now located.

[sneakypete]

Whatever it turns out to be, at least it is interesting!

You betcha! I love this stuff.

[AFreeBird]

I think you're right about them being built earlier, but by whom is the question. The Sphynx, according to Hancock's geological analysis, clearly show extensive water errosion, and there hasn't been that much water there since well, the last ice age. That of course was very much earlier than the "officially" accepted date of its construction.

[atafak]

hmmm...i suspect this will bring forth new interpretations of the famous "fall of ghanja" sculptures at mahabalipuram...arjuna as noah??...

[jonefab]

http://www.grahamhancock.com/intro.php
http://www.artbell.com/guesth.html

[Ditter]

I have never heard Art Bell but I would love to listen to Ghost to Ghost. Is he on a Houston station?

[Dutch Boy]

In modern times we like to built on the coast. Why would this be different in ancient times? IMHO it is very likey that if an advanced civilization existed in pre-ice age times they would now be under water. It would be interesting to known what our real history is instead of the spoon fed theories we get now. I get real tired or so-called scientists that can create an entire societal structure based on a bone or a pottery scrap. We don't need more Piltdown men or fake stoneage tribes in the Philipines. I want fact not story.

[painter]

"A Scuba bump."

No kidding! I'm an avid diver and when I read stories like this I just think,"OH MAN".I wish I was one of the divers on the site!

[WKB]

http://www.grahamhancock.com/intro.php
http://www.artbell.com/guesth.html\

AND?

[jonefab]

"AND?"

Just the web site for Art Bell (guest list) and Graham Hancock

Here I'll make it easy
Art Bell's web site guest list
Graham Hancock's web site

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

This should be a lesson to all, your civilization won't last long if you keep losing your cities.

Your Houston Art Bell station, KTRH-740 AM.

Weekdays
10 p.m. The Best of Art Bell (repeats)

Weekdays and Saturday
Midnight to 5 a.m., Coast to Coast - Art Bell

Sunday
Midnight to 3 a.m.

[Ditter]

Thanks. ;9} I'll give him a listen, probably the repeats, I'm not the night owl I used to be.

[RightWhale]

the Piri Reis map

Charles Hapgood's "Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings" has some excellent plates of this and many other ancient maps.

[Atlantian]

Please explain what the Piri Reis map is.