Scientists Finally Mapped the Lost 'Atlantis' Continent

Summary

The script explores the ancient supercontinent of Sahul, once connecting Australia, New Guinea, and other regions, teeming with unique fauna like the giant Diprotodon. It delves into the migration of early settlers from Southeast Asia around 45,000 years ago and the subsequent submersion of Sahul due to rising sea levels post-ice age. Modern technology allows us to uncover remnants of this lost world, alongside other submerged lands like Sundaland and Zealandia, each with its rich biodiversity and geological history.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Scientists discovered a sunken continent near Australia, similar to the mythical Atlantis, which was once a land mass called Sahul.
• 🏞 Sahul was a supercontinent that connected Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and the Aru Islands, featuring lush rainforests and towering mountains.
• 🐾 Sahul was home to unique fauna, including large marsupials like the Diprotodon and the terrifying Megalania, which was the largest lizard of its time.
• 🌍 The continent was distinct from the rest of the world, with marsupials being the dominant mammals, unlike the placental animals elsewhere.
• 🚶‍♂️ Early human migration to Sahul occurred between 60,000 to 45,000 years ago, with people traveling from Southeast Asia using bamboo rafts and boats.
• 🗺 Sahul was vast, covering an area of 4.1 million square miles, larger than the USA or Canada, and stretching from the equator to the southern part of New Zealand.
• 🎨 Ancient cave paintings dating back 40,000 years have been found, depicting hunting scenes with humans and animals.
• 🌊 Sahul's submersion began around 70,000 years ago during the last ice age, when rising sea levels flooded the land bridges that once connected its parts.
• 🤿 Modern technology, such as underwater drones and sonar mapping, has allowed exploration of the underwater parts of Sahul, revealing ancient rivers and coastlines.
• 🌳 Other sunken lands like Sundaland and Zealandia are also mentioned, each with their unique history and biodiversity.
• 🔍 The script highlights the ongoing discovery and study of these lost continents, hinting at the possibility of uncovering more hidden lands in the future.

Q & A

What was the ancient supercontinent called that connected Australia, New Guinea, Tasmania, and the Aru Islands?

The ancient supercontinent was called Sahul.

What type of environment surrounded the mountains in Sahul?

Lush tropical rainforests surrounded the mountains in Sahul.

What were some of the unique pouched creatures that inhabited Sahul?

Sahul was home to a variety of unique pouched creatures, including grazers, burrowers, scavengers, and predators, but not limited to koalas and kangaroos.

What is the name of the region in New Guinea known for its tall mountains?

The New Guinea Highlands is the region known for its tall mountains, with peaks reaching over 13,000 feet.

How did the early settlers travel from Southeast Asia to Sahul?

The early settlers traveled by foot and across the sea using bamboo rafts and simple boats, coming from an ancient land mass called Sunda.

What is the estimated size of Sahul and how does it compare to modern countries?

Sahul was around 4.1 million square miles, which is bigger than the USA or Canada.

What technological advancements have allowed scientists to explore the underwater parts of Sahul?

Technological advancements such as divers exploring and collecting samples, underwater drones, and sonar mapping have allowed scientists to explore the underwater parts of Sahul.

What is the connection between the mythical Atlantis and the submerged land of Sahul?

The connection is that both were once large landmasses that are now submerged underwater, with Sahul having been flooded due to rising sea levels after the last ice age.

What is Sundaland and how is it similar to Sahul?

Sundaland is a region made up of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and other islands that was much larger during the Ice Age and is now almost fully underwater, similar to Sahul.

What is Zelandia and how does it differ from Sahul?

Zealandia is a long narrow piece of land, about half the size of Australia, that broke from Antarctica around 100 million years ago. Unlike Sahul, 7% of Zealandia stayed above sea level, forming what is now New Zealand and nearby islands.

How did the landmass of Greater Adria impact the formation of modern mountain ranges?

After crashing into Europe, Greater Adria shattered into pieces, with most going deep into the Earth's mantle, but some were scraped off and became part of mountain ranges like the Alps.