The sensational claim of marine explorers unearthing a “perfectly preserved sunken temple” in a remote ocean trench is a fictional story with no basis in scientific fact. This narrative is a classic piece of adventure folklore, playing on the human fascination with lost cities and the mysteries of the deep. While underwater archaeology is a real and thriving field, the discovery of a perfectly preserved temple in a deep ocean trench is a modern myth.

While fictional temples in deep trenches are a myth, the world of underwater archaeology is full of genuine discoveries that are no less breathtaking. A prime example is the discovery of the ancient city of Thonis-Heracleion off the coast of Egypt. For over a thousand years, this city was a myth, but it was found in the year 2000 and has since yielded an incredible trove of artifacts, including temples, statues, and coins, all preserved on the seabed. This is a real “sunken city,” but it was found in shallow waters, not a remote ocean trench.

The true “breathtaking discoveries” being made in remote ocean trenches are not temples, but unique marine ecosystems. Scientists using submersible vehicles are finding entirely new species of fish, bioluminescent creatures, and other life forms that have adapted to the extreme pressure and cold. The discovery of these unique ecosystems, which exist in total darkness, is a real-world wonder that challenges our understanding of the limits of life on Earth.