Climate change has led to decreased water levels the world over, and these decreased water levels have led to some pretty interesting discoveries of relics that used to be submerged under the water. Join ViewCation as we explore the strangest things that have been found in dried-up lakes.
Old Nazi Warships
The Danube River is the second-longest river in all of Europe, though the river has been subject to some changing water levels as of late due to drought. These changing water levels have revealed some pretty interesting treasures that lie at the bottom of the river. Specifically, these treasures were found in the water near the port town of Prahovo. The treasures that were found at the bottom of the Danube River include dozens of old Nazi warships that were used during World War II. While this find has definitely caught the attention of historians, there’s also a caveat. Some officials believe that these antique warships may be housing some firepower, and this could pose a danger to local residents.
The Danube River has been used for travel for a long time, but changing water levels have recently made it more difficult for ships to pass through. The decreasing water levels along the Danube River have led to dredging, which has helped ships continue to make it through. Many believe that he Nazi warships lining the Danube River were left over from an incident wherein Nazi forces were fleeing Soviet forces.
Dinosaur Tracks in Texas
Long before the Nazis of World War II, there was another tyrannical force that ruled over the Earth. Dinosaurs have always been interesting to people, but there are decidedly few opportunities for humans to know what dinosaurs were really like. Besides fossils, one of the best ways for humans to see what it was like for dinosaurs back in the day is by looking at preserved footprints. Some of the most well-preserved dinosaur footprints in the world can be found at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas. This is especially true now in the wake of the area’s changing water levels.
For a long time, Dinosaur Valley State Park has been known as the home of some fantastically preserved dinosaur footprints. However, up until recently, these footprints were mostly underwater! Changing water levels have made it so that the formerly submerged dinosaur footprints that can be found at Dinosaur Valley State Park are now fully exposed. While this may be a sad thing for water lovers, it’s a good thing for dinosaur lovers! There are plenty of dinosaur footprints around the world, but few are quite as breathtaking as the ones that can be found at Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Hunger Stones in Germany
Unless you’re exceptionally well-versed at history, there’s a good chance that you aren’t going to know what a hunger stone is. Back in the day, hunger stones were used as memorials for people that died during famines. In recent years, there have been some notable hunger stones uncovered as a result of changing water levels. Two such hunger stones have been found in the Czech town of Decin.
Spanish Stonehenge
Everybody is likely already familiar with the famous landmark of Stonehenge, which resides in the United Kingdom. However, there’s a simply landmark in Spain that has, for some reason, managed to stay far less notable. The reason that Spanish Stonehenge has managed to fly under the radar so well in comparison to it’s more popular British cousin is likely because the landmark has spent the majority of recent years underwater. Since the 1960s, it has been said that there have only been around four times that Spanish Stonehenge has been visible. Recently changing water levels have helped out with the visibility of Spanish Stonehenge a great deal. Though the landmark is colloquially referred to as “Spanish Stonehenge”, that isn’t it’s real name. The landmark’s real name is the Dolmen of Guadalperal. The Dolmen of Guadalperal has been standing for several thousands of years, with many believing that the landmark dates back to around 5000 BC.
Unexploded World War II Bomb in Italy
The aforementioned Nazi warships along the Danube River aren’t the only remnant leftover from World War II that has been uncovered as a result of changing water levels. Another notable World War II-era find was uncovered along the Po River, which is located in Sermide, Italy. The discovery that was made along the riverbed of the Po River was a 1,000-pound bomb dating back to the days of the global conflict. Understandably, the discovery of the bomb made a lot of locals nervous! Thankfully, the discovery didn’t result in anyone accidentally setting the explosives off.
Ancient Buddhist Statues
The remnants of World War II that have been uncovered as a result of changing water levels across the globe are certainly interesting, but also frightening. Those looking for some more positive anthropological discoveries that have been made as a result of changing water levels may look to China, where several Buddhist statues from ancient times have been uncovered. These statues have been uncovered along the Yangtze, which is the largest river in the entirety of Asia. Like the Danube River, the Yangtze has had some significant problems with it’s water levels in recent years. Once again, these problems have led to some discoveries.
The changing water levels along the Yangtze have made it so that a formerly submerged island has now peaked it’s head up above the water once again. This wouldn’t have been particularly notable if it weren’t for the fact that the island is home to three ancient Buddhist statues! The discovery was made in the Chongqing area of China, towards the southwest region of the country. The statues are believed to be around 600 years old, and they depict three monks intended to keep a watch out over the river. Though the specific age of the statues hasn’t been decreed, they were certainly built at some point during China’s Ming dynasty. The Ming dynasty lasted from 1368 to 1644.
A Spanish Ghost Village
Along the Limia River in Spain, an entire village was recently uncovered as a result of changing water levels! Of course, the village has been long-since abandoned on account of the fact that it has been underwater for several decades. The village was discovered in the Galicia region of the country, and it was purposely flooded during the 1990s in order to create a reservoir. Now that this village is back above the water, it has become a popular destination for tourists.
Roman Bridge
Another interesting relic that has recently been uncovered by changing water levels is a bridge that used to pass over the Tiber. The Tiber is a river in Italy, and it is said to be one of the country’s largest. The bridge is said to have been constructed all the way back in 50 AD, and it’s construction was said to have been demanded by the emperor Nero.
Numerous Discoveries in Lake Mead
Besides all of the aforementioned discoveries that have been made in recent years as a result of changing water levels, that are also numerous discoveries that have been made just in Lake Mead. Lake Mead is a reservoir that was formed by the creation of the Hoover Dam. Though it’s located along the Colorado River, it resides in the states of Nevada and Arizona. Lake Mead has long-since been considered one of the most impressive bodies of water in the region. However, water levels along the reservoir have been receding.
It’s certainly not a great thing that the water levels of Lake Mead and other notable bodies of water have been decreasing. However, as with the aforementioned cases, the decreasing water levels of Lake Mead have yielded the discoveries of some pretty awesome treasures. While there have been plenty of treasures uncovered as a result of Lake Mead’s changing water levels, there have also been some nasty discoveries. In the summer of 2022, a barrel was discovered that was found to contain human remains.
Besides human remains and the occasional tire, there have also been plenty of interesting things that have been uncovered as a result of Lake Mead’s decreasing water levels. For one thing, there have been numerous shipwrecks that have been uncovered over the years. Some of these shipwrecks were several decades old upon being discovered. For the most part, these shipwrecks consist of small fishing vessels. However, there are a few bigger ones.
Other interesting remnants that have been found in Lake Mead include the remains of a B-29 Superfortress plane. This is another World War II-era relic. However, this time the relic was on our side! Before the recent discovery of these remains, it was long believed that the plane resided somewhere in the lake. The plane was shot down over the lake some time ago, but it was never found. The cockpit of the plane was perfectly preserved, meaning that the discovery has interested many.
Other interesting things that have been uncovered as a result of decreasing water in Lake Mead include a cement plant and a frontier town. Like the aforementioned World War II plane, it has long-since been known that a cement plant was submerged in Lake Mead. However, the cement plant has only recently been uncovered as a result of changing water levels. Even more interesting than this cement plant is the frontier town of St. Thomas, which is another landmark that has recently been uncovered in Lake Mead. St. Thomas is a historic site that has been incredibly difficult to visit until recently. Now that St. Thomas is above the water, tourists can enjoy hiking the old frontier town.
The changing water levels that can be seen the world over may be frightening, but at least they have revealed plenty of awesome historical treasures! Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that several World War II-era Nazi warships were recently uncovered in the Danube River as a result of changing water levels, and that similar discoveries have been made the world over? Comment down below!