India's Undersea City

Title: Indian Archaeologists Divers Discover Ancient Port City in South India Source: Science AFP / ABC News Online Date: Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005 Level: Advanced

Excerpt

Indian archaeologists have found what they believe are undersea "stone structures" that could be the remains of an ancient port city off India's southern coast. The archaeologists learned of the structures after locals reported spotting a temple and several sculptures when the sea pulled back briefly just before deadly tsunamis smashed into the coastline on December 26. This is an excerpt. For full article, click here.

Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article. If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search. New words you will see in this article: ancient architectural bar(ring) cartographer carving(s) commodore clutch dynasty erosion exquisite far-flung fury geometrical granite magnificient mariner naval poise(d) scour(ing) smash(ed) strewn structure(s) submerge(d) tsunami(s) vessel Noted spelling differences between British and American English: Archaeological/Archeological Civilisation/Civilization Learnt/Learned

Talking Points

With your conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following: 1. What makes this discovery most interesting to you? 2. How should the Archeological Society of India approach this project to preserve its ancient treasures? 3. Why was this undersea city not discovered by explorers before now? 4. If it were not for the tsunami, how long do you think it would have taken to find these ruins? 5. Do you believe there are other, yet undiscovered, ruins of ancient cities in the world? If so, where?