16. The Sunken City in Qiandao Lake
Est. Value Today: Unknown
Year Disappeared: 1959 (Intentionally Flooded)
Year Discovered: N/A
China’s beautiful Qiandao Lake, also known as “Thousand Island Lake,” is a man-made, freshwater lake that was completed in 1959. The ancient city of Shi Cheng is far older, though it is submerged under the newer body of water. Shi Cheng was built between A.D. 25 and A.D. 200 during the Eastern Han Dynasty.
The Sunken City in Qiandao Lake @CryptoAnthropologist / Facebook.com
Shi Cheng was intentionally flooded after the city was abandoned over time. China wanted to design and build the Xin’an Dam, flooding the city to make way for Qiandao Lake. Because there were no corrosive agents in the water, this mysterious, Atlantis-like city has remained remarkably well-preserved, 131 feet below the surface of Qiandao.
17. The Uluburun Shipwreck
Est. Value Today: $500,000-$1 million*
Year Disappeared: Late 14th Century B.C.
Year Discovered: 1982
The Uluburun (Turkish for “Grand Cape”) shipwreck is located off the coast of southwestern Turkey. The Uluburun wreck was rediscovered in 1982, and evidence provided from the ship’s cargo indicates that it set sail from Cypriot. It was sailing west of Cyprus, judging from her cargo, which included royal gifts, luxury items, and raw materials.
The Uluburun Shipwreck @nauticalarchaeology / Facebook.com
Interesting objects onboard included a gold scarab with Nefertiti’s name on it, one-hundred-seventy-five cobalt, lavender, and turquoise glass ingots, and a boxwood tablet with ivory hinges. The items onboard came from ten different cultures, and Turkey’s Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology houses the treasures excavated thus far.
18. The Lost City of Pavlopetri
Est. Value Today: Unknown
Year Disappeared: 1000 B.C.
Year Discovered: 1967
The lost city of Pavlopetri, located beneath the sea off the coast of Laconia in Greece, is one of the world’s oldest submerged lost cities. Pavlopetri is the oldest of its kind in the Mediterranean, and it is unique for its complete town plan, including tombs, streets, and buildings. Though the water has eroded the buildings over time, the town plan is still in place.
The Lost City of Pavlopetri @Tamas Lamping / Facebook.com
Pavlopetri sank in 1000 B.C. after suffering three major earthquakes. In 1967, Nicholas Flemming and a team of Cambridge University archaeologists discovered the lost city. Though UNESCO declared Pavlopetri as a Heritage Site, it is still under threat from thrill-seeking tourists trying to hunt for souvenirs.
19. The Pulaski
Est. Value Today: Unknown
Year Disappeared: 1838
Year Discovered: 2018
It’s not always old-fashioned sail-by-the-wind ships that fall prey to the sea. Steamships like The Pulaski aren’t impervious to harm, either. In 1838 there was an explosion on the ship while it was making passage off the coast of North Carolina.
The Pulaski @yumhubpets / Pinterest
As it was a passenger ship and not a cargo ship, The Pulaski’s wreck wasn’t home to much treasure – or at least, so it was thought. When the wreck was eventually found in 2018, divers were shocked to find an ornately decorated gold watch lingering nearby, presumably from one of the ill-fated passengers. You can’t find something like this on eBay.
20. The Atocha
Est. Value Today: $450 million*
Year Disappeared: 1622
Year Discovered: 1985
For treasure seekers and adventurers, stumbling across a much-sought-after wreck is akin to winning the lottery – although it often takes more effort. The Atocha was all set to bring a loaded cargo of incredibly valuable gems, gold, and other items to Spain when it got swept up in a hurricane in 1622.
The Atocha @topmisterios / Pinterest
Sadly, the ship didn’t survive the wicked weather and sank like a stone. Hundreds of years later in 1985, The Atocha was finally discovered on the ocean floor near Key West, Florida. Much of the haul was still intact, coming in at a reported value of $450 million. To put it in perspective, that’s more than Sony actress J-Lo is worth.
21. The Titanic
Est. Value Today: Priceless
Year Disappeared: 1912
Year Discovered: 1985
One of the most famous ships ever known sadly gained its notoriety for the sheer tragedy of its maiden voyage. The Titanic famously set sail in 1912 but struck an iceberg and sank somewhere in the North Atlantic. While many tried to locate the wreck over the years, no one succeeded until 1985.
The Titanic @sarahhitee14 / Pinterest
The incredible discovery continues to fascinate the world. Relics from the wreck have been sold over the years, fetching hundreds of millions of dollars, but as for the actual price of this treasure, its historical significance makes it truly priceless. Filmmaker James Cameron talked more about the ship in a 2021 documentary for Disney.
22. The SS Central America
Est. Value Today: $100 million*
Year Disappeared: 1857
Year Discovered: 1988
Sailors in olden times really had a rough go of it. With little to no safety measures and the ravages of the open sea before them, it wasn’t for the faint of heart. Sinking was a real possibility. The crew of The SS Central America would have been well aware of this when they embarked on their voyage, passing South Carolina.
The SS Central America @BluelineSocial / Twitter.com
The precious cargo on board included tons of Gold Rush gold. The wreck was eventually found in 1988 by Tommy Thompson, who managed to take $50 million in treasure home with him. Although, it wasn’t his to keep. In a battle fit for a NLX documentary, Thompson went on the run for almost thirty years until he was caught.
23. The SS Gairsoppa
Est. Value Today: $200 million*
Year Disappeared: 1941
Year Discovered: 2011
The SS Gairsoppa is arguably one of the most valuable wrecks ever discovered beneath the waves for two main reasons. The ship was hauling more than $190 million from India to the Brits during WW2 when the Nazis caught wind of it and swiftly attacked it, successfully sending it to Davy Jones’ Locker in 1941.
The SS Gairsoppa @PetrosGhazaryan / Twitter.com
When it was discovered in 2011, not only were the coins found but so was a stash of letters from crew members to family. Although you might think they would be ruined from saltwater, by some miracle they were preserved better than a can of Walmart pickles.
24. The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes (Black Swan)
Est. Value Today: $500 million*
Year Disappeared: 1804
Year Discovered: 2007
It might go without saying, but when a ship is carrying millions in gold, it’s a risky mission. When ships didn’t reach their destination, it wasn’t exactly uncommon. Sadly, The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes didn’t make it to its final destination in 1804.
The Nuestra Senora de las Mercedes (Black Swan) ©Benjamín Núñez González / Wikimedia.com
The ship sank to the bottom of the ocean after an unfriendly encounter with the British, taking its treasure with her. In 2007 the incredible $500-million-dollar wreck was found by a haulage company off the coast of South America. They gave the discovery the name Black Swan, before it was eventually reclaimed by Spain.
25. The SS Republic
Est. Value Today: $1150 million*
Year Disappeared: 1865
Year Discovered: 2003
The mission of The SS Republic was an honorable one. It made its way from Georgia over to New Orleans with a hull full of coins, sent to help out with the clean-up in the aftermath of the Civil War. That money would have aided the city and helped it get back on its feet – if the ship hadn’t sunk like a stone.
The SS Republic @coble_and_keel / @ShipwreckSilver / Twitter.com
The wreck was discovered in 2003, much to the delight of treasure seekers on the Odyssey Marine Exploration. Over 51,000 coins were found, putting the estimated value of this sunken ship at over $150 million. That’s more than some famous musicians are worth.
26. 13,000-Year-Old Skull in Mexico
Est. Value Today: Unknown
Year Disappeared: 13,000 Years Ago
Year Discovered: 2015
A 13,000-year-old intact skeleton of a teenage girl was discovered in a 150-foot-deep trench of water known as Hoyo Negro (the Black Hole). Hoyo Negro is located in an underwater cave system in the Yucatan. Named “Naia” for “Greek water nymph,” the skeleton is one of the earliest humans ever uncovered in the Americas.
13,000-Year-Old Skull in Mexico @soynadie / Pinterest
Naia had similar physical characteristics of Paleoamericans, and she also had genes similar to present-day Native Americans, revealing an important genetic and historical link between Mexican and Native American peoples. Naia’s discovery is the most important once since the Kennewick Man, a 9,000-year-old hunter-gatherer discovered in 1966.
27. Pacific Football Fish
Est. Value Today: Unknown
Year Disappeared: N/A
Year Discovered: 2021
This year, an insane-looking fish that is typically found thousands of feet under the sea was found washed ashore. On a California beach, this terrifying black-colored fish with very sharp teeth and a football-shaped body was found.
Football Fish @sofiabiologista / Twitter.com ©/
The Pacific Football Fish is a type of anglerfish that is very rarely found completely intact. It was found to be a female fish due to its long stalk on the top of the head. It is said that the stalk is used to lure prey. Due to its huge mouth, the fish is able to swallow prey the size of its own body.
28. The San José Galleon
Est. Value Today: Billions
Year Disappeared: 1708
Year Discovered: 2015
When a ship sinks, the best the Captain can hope for is that his crew comes out unscathed. After all, the loss of life is far more important than the loss of cargo. However, while grain and food cargo can be easily replaced, it’s somewhat of a kicker when billions in jewels and gold sink to the bottom of the ocean.
The San José Galleon @duaogren / Pinterest
The San Jose was a Spanish ship that was caught up in a battle with the British in 1708. Unfortunately, the British managed to sink it. Although it was thought lost, the wreck was discovered in 2015, although the news didn’t become widespread knowledge until three years later.