The mystic Issyk-Kul Lake of Kyrgyzstan | Arunachal Observer
2500-yr-old advanced civilization found underwater Beyond the Horizon By Pradeep Kumar ‘Lake disappeared & reborn by quakes’ The lake, believed to be formed around 8,000 years ago, was much bigger than what it is today, said lake region national park forester Alexander, adding strong medieval earthquake the basins have undergone significant seismogenic deformations and destructions. During the earthquake, the seismogenic reverse fault scarp was formed. A total of 1.6 m was offset along the rupture, which corresponds to an earthquake measuring 7 in disaster scale. While the lake disappeared by…
The mystic Issyk-Kul Lake of Kyrgyzstan July 16, 2022July 16, 2022 2500-yr-old advanced civilization found underwater Beyond the Horizon By Pradeep Kumar ‘Lake disappeared & reborn by quakes’ The lake, believed to be formed around 8,000 years ago, was much bigger than what it is today, said lake region national park forester Alexander, adding strong medieval earthquake the basins have undergone significant seismogenic deformations and destructions. During the earthquake, the seismogenic reverse fault scarp was formed. A total of 1.6 m was offset along the rupture, which corresponds to an earthquake measuring 7 in disaster scale. While the lake disappeared by another earthquake in 16th century AD formed a 900-M long and 300-M tall barricade forming the lake again. The quake could have caused decline of Mogul civilization in lake’s northern region, he told Kazak TV. Issyk-Kul Lake, means “warm lake” in Kyrgys language, spread in 6,236 sqkm area, 182-km long, 60-km wide, is the second-largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca in South America. The lake, a Ramsar site of globally significant biodiversity, is 7th deepest and 10th largest in the world by volume (though not in surface area) and second-largest saline lake after Caspian Sea. Located an altitude of 5,272-ft and 2,192-ft in depth, it is fed by springs, including many hot springs and snow melt while about 118 rivers & streams flow into the lake. The lake has no current outlet, but some hydrologists hypothesize that the lake’s water filters deep underground into Chu River, though subject to severe cold during winter, but it never freezes. Administratively, the lake and the adjacent land are within Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. But, during the Soviet era it was a popular vacation resort, which disappeared after the break-up of the USSR. But now hotel complexes are being refurbished and simple private bed-and-breakfast rentals are offered to new generation of health and leisure visitors. Its small old core contains an impressive wooden mosque, built without metal nails by Dungan people and a wooden orthodox church used as a stable during Soviet era. Issyk-Kul Lake was a stopover on the Silk Road, a land route for travelers from Far East to Europe. The great Chinese Buddhist scholar-monk Xuanzang passed by this lake and noted the details in his classic travelogue Great Tang Records on Western region in 7th century. The lake was once owned by Quing Dynasty of China and ceded to Russia along with the surrounding territory after the Treaty of Tarbagatai. Many historians believe that the lake was the point of origin for Black Death that plagued Europe & Asia during early and mid-14th century. Based on analysis of preserved genetic material, researchers reported that the Black Death arrived in 1338 or 1339 near Issyk-Kul. The plague first infected people in a small number in nearby settlement of traders eight years before it devastated Eurasia, killing 60% of population by travelling along the trade routes. The lake level is about 26-ft higher now than in medieval times. Divers have found the remains of submerged settlements in shallow areas around the lake. In December 2007, a report was released by a team of Kyrgyz historians, led by Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences vice president Vladimir Ploskikh, that archaeologists have discovered remains of a 2500-year-old advanced civilization at the bottom of the Lake. Other findings included Scythian burial mounds eroded over the centuries by waves and numerous well-preserved artifacts, including bronze battleaxes, arrowheads, self-sharpening daggers, objects discarded by smiths, casting molds and money. Articles identified as the world’s oldest extant coins were found underwater, with gold wire rings used as small change and a large hexahedral gold piece. Also found was a bronze cauldron with a level of craftsmanship that is today achieved by using an inert gas environment. In 1916 the monastery of Issyk-Kul was attacked by Kyrgyz rebels, and seven monks were killed. 20 Beyond The Horizon, State News Post navigation Natung turn good SamaritansCapital DA deports four persons without ILP Related posts May 20, 2026 Arunachal pushes for IIT-Level status for NERIWALM amid growing water, soil crisis Calls for Centre of Excellence in NE at Governing Body Meet GUWAHATI, May 19: Arunachal Pradesh... State News Remote Kaho village given free eye care May 20, 2026 Remote Kaho village given free eye care By Special Correspondent NAHARLAGUN, Mar 19: In a major step towards strengthening healthcare access in India’s easternmost... State News 2 rescued Asiatic black bears cubs get new life May 20, 2026 2 rescued Asiatic black bears cubs get new life ITANAGAR, May 19: Two orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs are beginning a second chance of life... State News