Traces of 'Caspian Atlantis’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33965, 4 October 1975, Page 11

Traces of 'Caspian Atlantis’

On the territory of Azerbaijan (a Soviet republic in Transcaucasia), where an old caravan road lies between the Caucasian Mountains and the Caspian Sea, scientists discovered on the road’s borders numerous monuments of past epochs and civilisations.

But its other border, the Caspian Sea, has been even more interesting for historians and archaeologists. Numerous legends tell of a “Caspian Atlantis,” and about cities flooded as a result of the land's invasion by the sea.

The Institute of the History of .Azerbaijan organised a scientific expedition, including historians, archaeologists and skin-divers, in search of “Caspian Atlantis.” They lifted from the sea bottom many interesting finds: bits of glazed utensils, pitchers, coins, small ornaments. Some crocks still bore inscriptions in the Farsi language. Scientists discovered that they were lines from lyrical verses. And they managed to make out on one of the crocks: * • C u p-maker Yusifs pottery.” Later the explorers came across the remnants of adobe and reed structures, and wall foundations buried under the sea. Azerbaijan scientists

are still going on with their studies of the site of the ancient city of

Byandovan (the name given to the “Caspian Atlantis”). More and more

finds are being lifted up from the sea bottom. —Novosti Agency.