6 In 1942, a Himalayan lake in India was found to have hundreds of skeletons in it. These were discovered by a British forest ranger and can be seen even today when the snow melts. Many of these remains date back at least 1,200 years, but not all of them seem to have died in the same era. 

Roopkund lake is a remote lake nestled within the Indian Himalayas at a height of 5,029 meters (16,500 feet). In 1942, a patrolling British forest ranger discovered a vast number of skeletons strewn across the bottom of this lake. Since then, scientists have been tirelessly studying the skeletons to determine their origin. They have also estimated that these remains belong to at least 600 to 800 people. 

In the latest study conducted, scientists analyzed the skeletons of 38 people from the lake. This revealed that some of the bodies date back to about 1,200 years. On an average, however, they found that many of the bodies had as many as 1,000 years separating their deaths.

The DNA analysis also revealed that the bodies were of diverse origins, with them having South Asian, present-day European, and even ancient Greek relations. (1, 2)

7 Wisconsin archeologists once discovered the oldest intact boat ever found in the state – a 1,200-year-old Native American canoe – from Lake Mendota. The 15-foot dugout canoe dates to around 800 CE and belongs to the ancestors of the Ho-Chunk Nation. Despite its age, the canoe appeared to be extremely well-preserved. 

In Wisconsin, maritime archeologists have discovered a 1,200-year-old canoe that is the oldest ever intact boat found in the state. It was recovered from Lake Mendota in Madison and is about 15 feet long. The dugout canoe is said to be of Native American origin, likely made by the ancestors of the modern Ho-Chunk Nation. 

The canoe was first spotted by a maritime archeologist named Tamara Thomsen while riding an underwater scooter in the lake. She initially mistook the object for a log of wood but after further investigation, realized that it was a dugout canoe. Archeologists later removed a sliver of its wood and had it carbon-dated to know its approximate age. 

According to the experts, the canoe appeared to be extremely well-preserved despite dating to around 800 CE. Currently, it is undergoing a series of preservation treatments, and it may be displayed to the public in the future. (1, 2)

8 In 2019, an alligator was spotted in a Texas lake with a large knife sticking out of its head. It was found by a local resident while walking by the lake and other residents got together to inform the authorities. They were later assured by experts that the alligator was unlikely to be in any danger from the knife.

The American alligator is a common animal found in most lakes, rivers, and swamps in the southeast USA. In 2019, however, a Texas woman spotted one swimming around with what looked like a steak knife sticking out of its head. The woman, Erin Weaver, is a Houston resident who spotted the injured animal in a lake near her home while on a walk. 

According to Weaver, this was rather worrying since these alligators are not known to be aggressive or attack anyone. The local residents then contacted a Texas wildlife agency to have the animal professionally assessed.

Later, an alligator researcher named Frank Mazzotti told CNN that since alligators have thick and stony skin, the knife is unlikely to have extensively injured the animal. The authorities also stated that charges may be filed if they are able to find the perpetrator. (1, 2)

9 The remains of a 10,000-year-old wooly mammoth were recovered from a lake in Siberia. The skeleton was found still connected to skin and tendons in certain places and likely belonged to an adult male. Along with the skeleton, scientists also discovered some well-preserved excrement that could be studied to understand the animal’s diet. 

In 2020, Russian scientists were reported to be working on pulling out the skeleton of an adult male wooly mammoth from the depths of a lake in Siberia. The remains were first spotted by local reindeer herders who came across an animal skull, a lower jaw, ribs, and a part of a foot. Experts then spent five days looking through the silt from Lake Pechevalavato located in the remote Yamal Peninsula. 

About 90 percent of the animal’s remains were retrieved this way, and the skeleton was found to be attached to some skin and tendons at certain parts. The experts also recovered a coprolite, likely belonging to the animal, that they hope can tell them more about the animal’s diet.

Wooly mammoths are thought to have gone extinct 10,000 years ago making these remains approximately as old as that. With Siberia undergoing a heatwave in recent times, such discoveries are now becoming common. (1, 2)

10 Divers in Turkey discovered a 3,000-year-old castle at the bottom of a lake. The ruins are thought to belong to the iron age civilization of Urartu that flourished between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE. Archeologists later discovered that the fortress was actually part of a larger site that stretches roughly a kilometer. 

A 3,000-year-old castle was discovered in 2017 at the bottom of Turkey’s Lake Van. This fortress is believed to have been built by the ancient Urartu civilization that lived between the 9th and 6th centuries BCE.

Also known as the “Kingdom of Van,” this civilization was largely centered around the lake, contributing to its rich history. As a result, experts had been studying the water body for years before their team of divers finally stumbled upon the fortress. 

According to the researchers, the fortress is part of an extensive site that stretches roughly a kilometer. Although the structure has been underwater for ages, it still appears to be well-preserved and stands between 10 and 13 feet in height.

However, this is not the first discovery made at this lake. The researchers had previously discovered a 1.5-square-mile area of strange stalagmites that they nicknamed the “underwater fairy chimneys.” (1, 2)