Lisbon's hidden history unveiled by quantum archaeology
Archaeologists have discovered an underground tunnel beneath Rua Augusta in Lisbon, which was buried during the 1755 earthquake. This is the first discovery made thanks to modern technology.
An international team of archaeologists, including experts from France, uncovered an underground tunnel beneath Rua Augusta in Lisbon. The tunnel, likely used for water transport, was buried during the 1755 earthquake that struck Portugal's capital.
A great discovery without excavations
Remarkably, no excavations were needed for this underground discovery. The tunnel was located using modern technology. Camille Janvier from Exail, a company specializing in advanced technologies, informed Portuguese television SIC that it's related to "quantum archaeology."
The chair of the Portuguese Quantum Institute (PQI), Yasser Omar, explained that a quantum gravimeter detects changes in ground density, enabling the location of underground structures without the need for excavations.
The tunnel's discovery on Rua Augusta marks the first instance of using modern quantum technology in archaeology. – This experiment is a significant milestone, revealing immense potential for contemporary archaeology. With this technology, underground sources of fuel and liquids, like oil and water, can be effectively detected. It also helps predict spots on roads where potholes might develop under the asphalt – added Omar.
The history of the 1755 earthquake
The November 1, 1755, earthquake was one of the most tragic events in Lisbon's history. The disaster decimated the city, killing up to 40,000 people. Lisbon's reconstruction, led by the Marquis of Pombal, didn't uncover all the underground structures, indicating that there's still much to learn about the city's history.
