The mythical, ancient city of Atlantis was probably located just north of what is now Cadiz, on the southern coast of Spain, before it was swamped by a massive tsunami, according to a team of American researchers. Using a satellite photo of the marshlands of Dona Ana Park, along with deep-ground radar, digital mapping, and underwater technology throughout 2009 and 2010, researchers found an ancient city, buried in the mud. "This is the power of tsunamis," says head researcher Richard Freund.
In addition to the findings in the mud, the research team also discovered the remains of what they call "memorial cities" around Spain, likely built by survivors in the years after the great disaster that destroyed Atlantis. "We found something that no one else has ever seen before, which gives it a layer of credibility, especially for archeology, that makes a lot more sense," says Freund. More details will be revealed in a National Geographic Channel special later today, reports Reuters. Click here for the tale of another sunken city. (More Atlantis stories.)