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What Archaeological Finds Have Been Revealed by Europe’s Drought?
Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman
Europe has experienced record high temperatures and widespread drought warnings this summer, a situation that the European Commission has described as "the worst in over 500 years." Some communities have been left without running water, while farmers struggle to irrigate fields and feed their livestock. Inflation is driving up prices for food staples, and the tourism industry is also taking a hit.
It's hard to find a silver lining in such dire circumstances, but here's one possibility – due to the drop in the water levels of Europe's waterways, numerous archaeological sites have been uncovered this summer.
One of the most notable is the 5,000-year-old stone circle known as the Dolmen of Guadalperal. Nicknamed the "Spanish Stonehenge," it has been submerged since 1963 when the area was flooded to build a dam. The Valdecañas reservoir is now at just 28% capacity, giving archaeologists a rare opportunity to study the stones, which are now visible again.
Drying out the past:
- Similar reports have come from across Europe, including a Roman bridge from the 1st century BCE that became visible in Italy's Tiber River.
- The medieval ruins of the Spanish town of Old Portomarín are now visible now that the Belesar reservoir has also receded.
- The discoveries are far from all good news, though. In the Serbian town of Prahovo, at least 20 German warships from WWII, still packed with ammunition and explosives, were found in the Danube River, making journeys more dangerous and narrowing the stretch of navigable waterway.
Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range of topics. Her articles cover essential areas such as managing finances, raising children, maintaining health and wellness, understanding nutrition, and developing effective educational strategies. Margaret's writing is guided by her passion for enriching the lives of her readers through practical advice and well-researched information.
Learn more...
Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range of topics. Her articles cover essential areas such as managing finances, raising children, maintaining health and wellness, understanding nutrition, and developing effective educational strategies. Margaret's writing is guided by her passion for enriching the lives of her readers through practical advice and well-researched information. Learn more...
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![Numerous waterways have dried up in this summer’s drought, exposing archaeological finds (such as the Dolmen of Guadalperal in Spain) across the continent.]()
Numerous waterways have dried up in this summer’s drought, exposing archaeological finds (such as the Dolmen of Guadalperal in Spain) across the continent.
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