According to Xinhuanet.com, a Buddha statue has emerged from the waters of a reservoir in east China's Jiangxi Province. The 3.8-metre tall statue was carved into the face of a cliff and was originally found by local villagers. The base of a hall was also found under the water, indicating that a temple existed there.

The head of the Buddha statue was first spotted last year when a hydropower gate renovation at the Hongmen Reservoir in Nancheng County lowered the water levels of the reservoir by more than 10 metres. An underwater archaeological mission was later launched and the experts said they will conduct research to prepare for the protection of the reservoir's underwater relics.


The reservoir is reportedly located on the ruins of the ancient Xiaoshi Township, a trade centre and hub for water transportation between Jiangxi and Fujian provinces. And judging from the design of the Buddha's head, the statue was carved during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The Hongmen Reservoir was built in 1958, way before there was a cultural relic protection department.

We wonder how many more cultural heritage sites have been lost because of human ignorance. And we also wonder how many real life Indiana Jones-type archaeologists are out there. If you're one of them, please drop us an email. We'd love to speak with you.