Grave adds 6,000 years to Istanbul

[dipsydoodle]

Archaeologists in Istanbul have discovered a grave that proves the city is 6,000 years older than they previously thought. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7820926.stm

[annabanana]

1. Constantinople?

;)

[watrwefitinfor]

2. Now it's Istanbul,

not Constantinople.

:hi:

[Tyrone Slothrop]

3. That's nobody's business

But the Turks

[UTUSN]

4. Whaaa?!1 BeFORE the world was created?!1 n/t

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

5. Crossroads of the world

My friend Bruce, now retired at 90, spent his entire archaeological career on digs within Istanbul.

[Cirque du So-What]

6. The location of the grave is below sea level

The entire Black Sea region was flooded, providing the basis for 'Great Flood' tales among numerous cultures. It's entirely possible that evidence of other prehistoric civilizations lies submerged around the Black Sea.

[Withywindle]

7. One fascinating thing I read about the Black Sea

is that it's anoxic (no oxygen) in its deeper part. So little or no bacteria or life, and things down there don't decay much. At least one ship from Byzantine times (about the 3rd century AD) has been found, and amphora from Greek ships that are more than 2,000 years old! It's amazing what could be down there.