Only in New Zealand–the tuatara
I’ve seen a lot of monster movies about “lost continents,” and was surprised to learn there really is–or rather, was–such a continent. It’s called Zealandia, and scientists believe most of it sank into the sea some 23 million years ago. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealandia) This year they declared Zealandia a real continent in its own right, although nothing of it is left above sea level except for New Zealand and a few smaller islands.
We don’t know a lot about what kind of place this was; it’s hard to find fossils that are hidden deep underwater. But what little evidence we have indicates it did have animals other than bats. Let me see if I can find you a picture of one.
Here’s one: “St. Bathan’s Mammal.”
We must not forget the strange animals encountered (and mostly wiped out) by Polynesians when they discovered New Zealand: many species of huge flightless birds called moas, and of course the living fossil, the tuatara, that’s still around, strictly protected. It looks like a lizard but it’s not. It’s the sole survivor of an ancient group called rhynchocepalians, or sphenodonts, contemporary with the dinosaurs.
Cool stuff, and food for thought…
I’v never heard of this sunken continent. I’ll have to study up on it.
Zealandria probably was submerged by Noah’s Flood. When it is said the dinosaurs are extinct I think of alligators and creatures such as this tuatara the dinosaurs are still with us (just not the giant ones.).
In truth, taxonomy is in the eye of the beholder. The tuatara has some unusual features that other reptiles don’t have. For instance, dinosaurs (the skeletons, that is) have certain things in common with birds, and in other details resemble crocodiles. The more you inquire into the matter, the more you wind up asking yourself, “What exactly *is* a dinosaur?” The question gets harder to answer, the more discoveries are made.
I have heard a theory that the area between SE Asia and Australia may have not been submerged, immediately after the flood, but that the ice caps were larger then and the seas lower. Australia and New Zealand became isolated as the seas enlarged and that, in part, explains the unique forms of life there.
This may not be a continent, but it certainly awe-inspiring, and to think Saint Paul started the church there . . .
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/archaeologists-make-mind-blowing-discovery-biblical-city-corinth-intact-underwater/
Very interesting–although this blasted computer is fighting me every step of the way this morning, and I’m getting nowhere fast.
The reason Julius Caesar rebuilt Corinth was because the Romans had earlier destroyed it. The new Corinth quickly became a sort of ancient Las Vegas–the least likely place you’d think of growing a church.
I find it interesting that so many archaeological discoveries seem to be happening of late. I think that our God is revealing the truth of His word in our day.