“Underwater Worlds: The Rise and Fall of 5 Lost Cities”

Over centuries, powerful natural forces and human activities have caused entire cities to sink beneath oceans, lakes, and seas. These underwater ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into ancient civilizations, now frozen in time beneath the waves. Here are five of the most intriguing sunken cities discovered around the world.

1. Dwarka – The Sunken Kingdom of Krishna (India)

Location: Gulf of Khambhat, off Gujarat coast
Estimated Age: Over 9,000 years
Submerged Due To: Rising sea levels and coastal erosion

Mentioned in ancient Hindu texts as the kingdom of Lord Krishna, Dwarka was once believed to be a myth. However, underwater archaeological surveys have uncovered stone structures, walls, and artifacts submerged in the Arabian Sea. These findings suggest the existence of a highly organized, ancient civilization with sophisticated urban planning. Dwarka’s discovery challenges conventional timelines of Indian history.

2. Thonis-Heracleion – Egypt’s Lost Port City

Location: Off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt
Estimated Age: 7th century BCE
Submerged Due To: Earthquakes, floods, and soil liquefaction

Thonis-Heracleion was once a bustling trading port and a major gateway between Egypt and the Mediterranean. It mysteriously sank beneath the sea around the 8th century CE. Rediscovered in 2000, the city revealed grand temples, statues, shipwrecks, and inscriptions. These finds have shed light on ancient commerce and the blending of Egyptian and Greek cultures.

3. Pavlopetri – The Oldest Underwater City (Greece)

Location: Off the coast of Laconia, southern Greece
Estimated Age: Circa 2800 BCE
Submerged Due To: Earthquake activity around 1000 BCE

Pavlopetri is considered the world’s oldest known submerged city with a complete urban layout. It includes well-preserved streets, buildings, courtyards, and burial chambers. The city once thrived during the Bronze Age and offers insights into early European civilization. The precision of its town planning is striking, showing how advanced people were over 4,000 years ago.

4. Port Royal – The Sunken Pirate City (Jamaica)

Location: Kingston Harbour, Jamaica
Estimated Age: 17th century CE
Submerged Due To: A major earthquake and tsunami in 1692

Port Royal was once the richest and most wicked city in the Caribbean, known for pirates, merchants, and taverns. A devastating earthquake in June 1692 caused a large part of the city to slide into the sea. The submerged remains, including streets, houses, and artifacts, are preserved under layers of silt. It is considered one of the most significant underwater heritage sites of the New World.

5. Shicheng – The Atlantis of the East (China)

Location: Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang Province
Estimated Age: Built in 25–200 CE (Han Dynasty)
Submerged Due To: Man-made flooding in 1959

Shicheng, or “Lion City,” was submerged intentionally to build the Xin’an River Dam. Hidden beneath 40 meters of water, the city is remarkably preserved, with ancient archways, wooden beams, and intricate carvings still intact. Though not lost to a natural disaster, its submersion has turned it into a hauntingly beautiful underwater attraction and archaeological marvel.