Historic European drought reveals previously submerged ancient Roman ruins

A severe drought in Europe has caused water levels to drop to the point where a complex of once submerged Roman ruins is now visible.

The ancient Roman complex that began as a military camp when it was first built in AD 75 along the Lima River in Spain’s Galicia region is visible after being abandoned centuries ago and completely submerged after the construction of a dam in 1949, The Charlotte- reported the observer.

The complex, known as Aquis Querquennis, housed up to 600 Roman soldiers in its heyday and consisted of multiple barracks, two barns, a hospital, a temple and thermal baths.

The full complex became visible, along with the ruins of other abandoned villages, after water levels in the As Conchas reservoir fell to 49% of capacity as the continent continues to struggle with a historic drought

TEMPORARY LITIGATION: FROM DROUGHT TO FLOODING AROUND THE GLOBAL

The normally submerged bridge of the former village of Aceredo is seen after emerging due to low water levels in the Lindoso Reservoir near Lobios, Ourense province, northwestern Spain, on August 25, 2022.
((Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images))

Drone footage released by Faro de Vigo on Friday showed large areas of the complex now visible due to falling water levels.

Almost half of the 27-nation European Union is on drought alert, with conditions worsening in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and Spain. The report also noted increased drought risks outside the EU, in Britain, Serbia, Ukraine and Moldova.

“Warmer and drier than usual conditions are likely in the western Euro-Mediterranean region over the coming months until November 2022,” particularly in Spain and Portugal, the EU’s Copernicus program said in a report this month of August

THE BANISHED DINOSAUR TRACKS IN THE TEXAS STATE PARK WITH THE RIVER ASSEC LA SEQUA

Roman military camp of Aquis Querquennis (Porto Quintela). Occupied between the last quarter of the 1st century and the middle of the 2nd century.
(Photo by: PHAS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Water scarcity and heat stress are also reducing European crop yields, with maize, soybeans and sunflowers the most affected. Recent rains in August have helped some regions, but crops in other areas have been affected by storms.

The report comes amid what experts say could be the continent’s worst drought in 500 years.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report