The HMS Ontario has returned from the grave, having been discovered 228 years later resting in remarkable condition at the bottom of Lake Ontario. The color waters of Lake Ontario are thought to have help preserved the wreck. It was found sitting upright, learning over to one side, with both masts still in place.

Shipwreckworld.com* has a great story here, including pictures that explorers Jim Kennard and Dan Scoville were able to take of the wreck with a remote-controlled robot built by Scoville.

*There's actually a shipwreckworld.com - how cool is that?

Posted by Carl at 9:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Alert Reader Mark will probably appreciate this story: Archaeologists have discovered Switzerland’s oldest known building under Lake Biel. Since it was made of wood scientists used dendrochronology they've dated the structure to 3863 BC.

Here's Lake Biel courtesy of Google Maps:

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Archaeologists found three circles of stakes, which are thought to have been fish traps. The building was likely used to store equipment or for smoking fish. That is, they put fish they caught in the building and then smoked them. Ancient Swiss fish did not smoke themselves, as fish didn't invent cigarettes for another thousand years.

The site has been detailed to glean as much information as possible. Archaeologists have been active in the area for 20 years and have recovered thousands of artifacts. It's thought that the site will eventually disappear from the effects of erosion, although anti-erosion efforts - including covering the area with special preservation blankets - have been applied.

(Stories about finding things at the bottom of lakes always reminds me of the Five Chinese Brothers, particularly that one that swallowed the sea.)

Posted by Carl at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I should start out here by saying that I'm going to link to the National Geographic article that discusses the aforementioned "Dog Mummies" in a minute - but there is ACTUALLY A PICTURE OF A DOG MUMMY. I'm letting you know about this because I don't want anyone clicking on the article and not being prepared for a dog mummy picture.

Now that I have that out of the way, I have two quick observations to make about this. First, they've found these so-called dog mummies in Peru but not a single cat mummy. I'll let you draw your own conclusion; I'm not trying to say anything.

Second, wouldn't this make a great horror movie? Dog Mummies from Peru starring Russell Crowe, Richard Gere and Donny Most as Ralph Malph.

National Geographic Article on Dog Mummies from Peru, with completely unnecessary Dog Mummy from Peru Photo

Posted by Carl at 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)