See the long-lost relics unearthed by Europe's drying rivers amid the summer heat wave
Europe's record temperatures this summer has led to several relics from the past re-emerging from the continent's major rivers.
Record-breaking heat has swept across Europe, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, rivers throughout the continent have dried up, exposing ancient relics and modern artifacts that had been hidden beneath the water for centuries. The Danube and Rhine, two of Europe's most crucial shipping routes, have been particularly affected by the abnormally low water levels.
These rivers serve as vital conduits for freight transportation, with Germany and the Netherlands accounting for nearly 72% of the EU's total inland waterway transport. Alas, the dry conditions have also unearthed previously submerged historical treasures, providing a glimpse into Europe's rich past.
Beneath the surface, the Danube River has revealed woolly mammoth remains, including a man's jawbone, femur, tusk, and ribs, found by a local resident who promptly alerted authorities. The curator of the Regional History Museum in Ruse, Krasimir Kirov, warned that the dire situation threatens the preservation of these delicate bones, as direct sunlight and low water levels create an unfavorable environment for their conservation.
Elsewhere, World War II-era shipwrecks and other historical artifacts have emerged from the now-sky-high banks along the rivers.
The low water levels have not only unearthed relics but also disrupted freight transportation along Europe's inland waterways. EU inland waterway freight already plummeted by 3% compared to 2024, and Germany could face a 0.3 percentage-point decline in its GDP growth this year due to the adverse effects of low water levels. Amid these challenges, experts caution that climate change and Europe's dredging and draining practices have exacerbated the water-level crisis, with forecasts predicting continued warmer and drier conditions into September.
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