‘Has a lost city been discovered at Ionis underneath Lake Van in Eastern Türkiye?’

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AI – ‘A 3,000-year-old, well-preserved castle, likely belonging to the Iron Age Urartu civilization (Kingdom of Van), was discovered beneath Lake Van in eastern Türkiye in 2017. The massive structure features walls 3 to 4 meters high, spans roughly a kilometer, and is protected by the lake’s highly alkaline waters. 

Key details about the discovery:

  • The Findings: Archaeologists from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University identified the ruins, which include large, stacked stones and walls that remained submerged as lake levels rose over millennia.
  • Origin: The castle is believed to date back to the 9th–6th centuries BCE, a period when the Urartian civilization thrived in the region.
  • Other Discoveries: In addition to the castle near Adilcevaz, researchers have found a sunken Russian ship (believed to be from 1948), a field of “underwater fairy chimney” stalagmites, and, more recently, evidence of graves and Urartian temples in the surrounding area. 

The discovery was made during underwater surveys, as the lake level was significantly lower during the Urartian era. …

An underwater, half-mile-long,,10,000-year-old city with stone structures and a “Flower of Life” symbol was discovered in Turkey’s Lake Van by divers in 2017. Explored by Matthew LaCroix and Matt Beall, the ruins lie 75–85 feet deep and are believed to have been submerged by volcanic activity and the Great Flood. 

Key Discoveries and Features

  • Location: Lake Van, eastern Turkey, near the town of Gevaş.
  • Structures: Massive stone blocks, walls, and a large fortress were identified.
  • Symbolism: A “Flower of Life” design was found on stones, prompting speculation about connections to other ancient sites.
  • Age and Origin: Evidence suggests the site was submerged due to a catastrophic volcanic eruption of Mount Nemrut, which blocked the Mirat River and caused immense flooding at the end of the Younger Dryas (approx. 12,900 to 11,700 years ago).
  • Significance: The advanced masonry suggests a civilization potentially predating conventional history timelines. 

Expedition Context

  • Discoverers: While initially found by filmmaker Tahsin Ceylan in 1997, further exploration has been highlighted by researchers like Matthew LaCroix.
  • Theories: LaCroix and others suggest this site is part of a “forgotten civilization” that, similar to legends of Atlantis, was lost during the end of the Ice Age, linking it to potential global cataclysmic events.
  • Related Discoveries: These findings are often discussed in the context of other,10,000-year-old+ sites like Göbekli Tepe and underwater structures found elsewhere, challenging established,10,000-year-old+ historical narratives.’

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