5 Most Amazing Underwater Discoveries

You’re not going to believe some of the amazing underwater discoveries found in our oceans! With 71 percent of the Earth’s surface covered in water, tons of valuable artifacts are bound to get lost. This includes everything from sunken ships to entire cities. Some of these lost ancient relics can be worth billions and tell us a lot about how ancient people lived. Luckily, new technological advancements allow underwater archaeologists to discover things easier and faster. Of course, there’s no telling what they’ll find in the future but we can still look at some of the things they’ve already found. These are 5 amazing underwater discoveries that left us speechless.

* The Antikythera Mechanism

In 1901, divers discovered a 2,000-year-old Greek mechanism from the Antikythera shipwreck. For years scientists couldn’t explain what it was used for until x-ray technology helped solve the puzzle. Now, scientists believe it was a sophisticated calendar and computer, mapping the solar and lunar calendars. It also counted down the days until the next Olympic Games. What scientists don’t know is if it was a rare object or common in the ancient world.

* The Titanic

Sunk in April 1912, the Titanic wouldn’t be found until 1985 by former Navy captain and oceanographer Robert Ballard. Finding the ghostly sunken ship was one of the largest finds in archaeological history and revealed more about what might have happened on that fateful day.

* Ancient Settlement Found in Lake Issyk-Kul

Scientists discovered a 2,500-year-old Saka settlement buried underwater in Lake Issyk-Kul. Legends point to Saint Matthew, the disciple of Jesus, being laid to rest in Issyk-Kul and researchers believe recent artifacts point to the legend being true.

* Discovery of Ancient Roman Pill

Italian scientists discovered a Roman medicinal pill in a 2,000-year-old submerged shipping vessel off the coast of Tuscany. The tin vessels keeping the pills inside were totally sealed, keeping the pills dry. The scientists concluded, based on the ingredients inside the pill, that it was an eye medication.

* The Diving Bell Spider

Unlike pretty much every other spider in existence, the Diving Bell Spider lives most of its life underwater. Much like the devices used by humans before scuba gear to dive into the water, the Diving Bell Spider weaves a bubble around its body, trapping air inside, allowing it to breathe for periods at a time underwater.