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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Tsunami uncovers ancient city in India
Receding waters revealed animal carvings, temple

There is always some good out of bad...

The Associated Press
Updated: 9:56 a.m. ET Feb. 18, 2005MAHABALIPURAM, India - Archaeologists have begun underwater excavations of what is believed to be an ancient city and parts of a temple uncovered by the tsunami off the coast of a centuries-old pilgrimage town.

Three rocky structures with elaborate carvings of animals have emerged near the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, which was battered by the Dec. 26 tsunami.

As the waves receded, the force of the water removed sand deposits that had covered the structures, which appear to belong to a port city built in the seventh century, said T. Satyamurthy, a senior archaeologist with the Archaeological Survey of India.

More here: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6993215/?GT1=6190
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I would like to see whats under the waves off the coast of Florida. There are huge stuctures imaged under the water...apparently crafted by the hands of man. It's a great wonder what unknown cities are out there waiting to be discovered...especially under the ice cap of antartica where tropical flora have been gathered.

[MaryG]

This is a fascinating story. I'm always drawn to stories about ancient history newly laid bare by dropping water levels near major rivers etc. How unfortunate that this city's secrets are available to us now because of such an unbelievable tragedy.

I'd hope that someday we could know what is underwater off the west coast of North America, of course without involving massive casualties. If in fact the first North Americans were seafarers-- and not Siberians who trekked over the ice-covered Bering Strait-- the confirming information is likely on that ocean floor.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I read sometime ago, that in the midwest, there are African-type artifacts buried along with Stonehenge-type structures and mounds. These dating back quite a few thousand years. This implying that very ancient humanoid man of some type traveled far, were seafaring...and did this quite regularly.

I am sure that there are great unknown cties and cultures still to be unearthed.

All cool stuff.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Mystery of the smiling Buddha and ancient carvings that arrived as a gift from the tsunami

Heres an update on the Tsunami story...

31 MAY 2005

Rock carvings and parts of buildings lead to claims of mythical city of Mahabalipuram being discovered, and a Buddhist sage sits underneath the tree yards from the sea from which he was plucked

THE little Buddhist sage sits underneath the tree only yards from the sea from which he was plucked, a whimsical smile upon his face. Villagers gather before him with offerings of incense and food.
“We must look after him,” Gajendram, a fisherman, said as he knelt to light a candle. “He was sent 1,000 miles across the sea to protect us and he will stay with us for ever.”

A few miles up the coast at Mahabalipuram, a group of daytrippers marvel at the weathered carvings on a huge rock sitting in the middle of the beach. To one side lie the ruins of a temple in the sand. “We used to come here many times but we never saw these before,” Vinod Kumar, a student, said. “It is a gift of the tsunami.”

When the giant wave crashed into coastlines across the Indian Ocean, it took thousands of lives with it, erasing villages, destroying bridges, roads and fishing fleets.

But on this little stretch of the Tamil Nadu coast, it brought treasures too, unearthing ancient ruins and sending unfamiliar idols into the arms of the faithful.

More here from Timesonline.com: travel.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,10295-1635303,00.html

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I wonder how many mysteries exist beneath the worlds oceans. Hmmm....

[Maddad]

Atlantis, where art thou?

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Atlantis, Mu, Lemuria, the peoples of Michu Pichu and the Anisazi all lost to the ages.

Much lost knowledge to be recovered.