Droughts Are Getting So Intense That Ancient Ruins Are Beginning to Surface From Dried Up Rivers

Across Europe, rivers are experiencing record low water levels due to a relentless heatwave. The European Union's Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured images revealing the severity of the drought, which is impacting major waterways. In Bulgaria, the Danube river has slowed to a trickle, exposing ancient ruins, including the foundations of the Constantine Bridge.

This nearly 1,700 year-old structure was constructed during the reign of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in 328 AD and is considered one of the longest Roman bridges. While the receding water levels present numerous challenges, Bulgarian archaeologist Pavel Popov sees them as a valuable opportunity for study. "For archaeologists, these moments are extremely valuable because nature briefly reveals an object that is hidden beneath the Danube for most of the time," Popov explained.

"It gives us a rare opportunity to observe, document, and study it in its real environment." The exposed ruins were surveyed using drones, allowing researchers to trace the bridge's footprint and assess the condition of the foundation materials. Other discoveries along the Danube include the remains of a mammoth tusk in Bulgaria and a sunken Nazi warship near Croatia.