Atlantis in Tigris river.

In the scorching summers of the Middle East, the relentless heat can dramatically alter the landscape, sometimes revealing ancient cities long lost to time. In 2018, such an event occurred when the waters of the Tigris River receded, uncovering a city built by a mysterious empire thousands of years ago. Archaeologists hurried to the site, eager to uncover the secrets of what they believe to be the Bronze Age city of Zaku, founded over 3,000 years ago and submerged in the 1980s when a dam was constructed.

Zaku was once a bustling hub for the Mitanni Empire, strategically located on a vital trade route. The city thrived thanks to its access to water, a rare and precious resource in the region, which guaranteed its success. Little is known about the Mitanni Empire due to the lack of written records, making this discovery particularly exciting for archaeologists. Among the ruins, they uncovered an entire palace, likely the residence of the local ruler, along with fortifications that once protected the city from invaders.

One of the most remarkable finds was a massive public storehouse, filled with goods and harvests, including piles of wheat, barley, and imported materials like metal and wood. The citizens of Zaku relied on bread as their staple food and enjoyed hearty vegetable soups and stews. They also raised sheep, goats, cows, and pigs, ensuring a steady supply of milk and meat for special occasions.

The structures in Zaku were built from mud bricks, and despite being underwater for over 40 years, the walls are astonishingly well-preserved. The royal palace stands out with its thicker walls and pavements made of waterproof, baked mud bricks. The city's king likely had good relations with the emperor of the larger empire to which Zaku was a vassal.

Traders in Zaku collected wooden beams from the forests of northern and eastern Mesopotamia, which were transported down the Tigris River. Merchants would stop in Zaku to sell their goods before continuing their journey across the river. The city thrived as a center of commerce for about six centuries, until a massive earthquake in 1350 BCE struck, leaving the city in ruins.

Among the discoveries were five ceramic vessels containing over 100 clay tablets, miraculously preserved despite being underwater for decades. These tablets, likely part of a private archive, were written in a script that the city's scribes had to learn to communicate with other kingdoms. The tablets contain notes on various topics, including newly stored harvests and messages to other regions. Archaeologists hope to decipher these texts to learn more about Zaku's history and the Mitanni Empire.

The earthquake that devastated Zaku was so powerful that it rendered the city uninhabitable. Any survivors likely fled, and several decades later, the Assyrians settled on the ruins, using what remained of Zaku’s structures. However, they only stayed for about 50 years before moving to a new capital on more fertile soil.

As the waters of the Tigris rose again, archaeologists were forced to halt their excavations. They took precautions to protect the site, sealing the ruins with plastic sheets and covering them with stones and gravel to prevent further water erosion. While the dam's water is vital for the region, archaeologists are hopeful that if the water recedes again, they can continue their exploration of this priceless site.

Meanwhile, in China’s Taklamakan Desert, another ancient city resurfaced. About 1,600 years ago, a community thrived along the Nia River, a lifeline that drew water from melting snow in the nearby mountains. After years of work, archaeologists unearthed eight tombs, remarkably well-preserved by the desert’s heat. These tombs belonged to the wealthy citizens of the ancient city of Nia, once a flourishing part of the Silk Road trade route with a population of over 3,000 people.

The treasures found within the tombs included a quiver and bow, metal arrowheads, gold earrings, a glass bead necklace, and even silk garments with their bright colors still intact. The silk bore Chinese characters, helping scientists identify the period in which it was made. The discovery of a large dwelling site and the ruins of three buildings adds to the mystery of why Nia fell and what became of its people. It may take years to fully unravel the city’s secrets.

In Saudi Arabia, a joint team of Saudi and French archaeologists made a groundbreaking discovery near Riyadh. Using advanced technology like laser scanning drones and aerial photography, they unearthed an ancient settlement dating back 8,000 years. Among their finds were a stone temple, an altar, and over 2,000 graves, shedding light on the practices and rituals of the time.

The settlement also featured the foundations of massive buildings with corner towers and open-air courtyards, complete with underground reservoirs for storing water—a crucial resource in one of the world’s driest deserts. The city's smart irrigation system, including canals and cisterns, allowed it to thrive. Rock drawings on nearby mountains depict the daily lives of the locals, offering further insights into this ancient civilization.

Further afield, in the North Sea, fishermen stumbled upon ancient bones, tools, and artifacts on the sea floor, sparking excitement among British and Dutch archaeologists. These finds could be evidence of the submerged land known as Doggerland, where a prehistoric hunter-gatherer society once lived during the last Ice Age, 12,000 years ago. Doggerland connected the British Isles to mainland Europe before rising sea levels, caused by melting glaciers, submerged the land.

Archaeologists are using data from oil companies working in the North Sea to create digital models of what Doggerland might have looked like before it vanished beneath the waves. By analyzing ancient insect and plant samples, along with the DNA of animals, they hope to reconstruct a detailed picture of this lost land.

These stories of rediscovered ancient cities remind us of the ever-changing nature of our planet and the civilizations that once thrived in now-forgotten landscapes. Each discovery offers a glimpse into the past, revealing the resilience and ingenuity of our ancestors.