The discovery of an 8,000-year-old submerged city in the English Channel is indeed a remarkable find. The city remains found at the bottom of the English Channel date back 8,000 years. This means that it existed during a time when the sea levels were lower, and the region was connected to continental Europe.
A National Geographic team, led by scientist Albert Lin and maritime archaeologist Garry Momber, embarked on this underwater expedition as part of the Lost Cities series in 2019. Diving in the English Channel can be challenging due to freezing temperatures and powerful tides. Despite these difficulties, the team ventured into the waters in search of the ancient city.
Albert Lin braved the baltic temperatures to visit the 'lost city'. Credit: National Geographic
During their dive, the team made fascinating discoveries. They found well-preserved wood, suggesting structures that might have been part of an ancient dock or platform. The wood had survived underwater for millennia due to the lack of oxygen and sediment covering it.
Garry Momber emphasized the international significance of such a find, highlighting that it's a rare discovery with structures that are 8,000 years old. He suggests that the site may have been used for boat building, fishing, hunting, and collecting reeds. Garry also speculates that this submerged area might have been the world's oldest boat-building site, where canoes and long boats were constructed for sailing.
He stumbled across a wooden structure on the English Channel's seabed. Credit: National Geographic
The presence of such structures at the bottom of the English Channel is unique and unprecedented in the country. It offers valuable insights into the activities and technology of an ancient civilization from a time when the sea levels were different.
This discovery sheds light on the history of human habitation in the region and the development of maritime activities. It is a testament to the ongoing efforts of scientists and archaeologists to uncover the hidden history beneath our oceans.
They took the 8,000-year-old wood back to the surface to analyse. Credit: National Geographic
