As the waters of Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake located in the eponymous eastern province, have been receding recently, many historical artifacts have been revealed. Among the latest findings in the lake are the remains of a ship that sank many years ago.
Mustafa Akkuş, a faculty member at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, said that some underwater structures have emerged as the increasing effects of global warming caused the water levels of the lake to change over time. The revealed historical artifacts include graves, castle walls and several stones engraved with motifs dating back to the Seljuk and Ottoman empires.
Photography enthusiasts and locals have begun coming to the region to view the lake and take pictures, particularly of the recently unearthed vessel. Akkuş said Lake Van has always been a preferred destination for civilizations throughout history and a crossroads between the East and West.
