Ming Dynasty Buddha Statue Floating on Chinese Lake

People in Jiangxi province, China discovered the head of a Buddha statue with Ming Dynasty motifs floating on the surface of a reservoir.

The head of a Buddha statue floating on the surface of a reservoir in Jiangxi Province, China. Photo: Wechat.

Archaeologists began a search at Hongmen Reservoir in China's Jiangxi Province after locals discovered the head of a Buddha statue floating on the lake's surface, China News reported.

Hongmen Reservoir was built in 1958 with a capacity of 1.2 billion cubic meters of water. It is said to be located on the ruins of an ancient town, an important hub for transporting water between Jiangxi and Fujian provinces. Late last year, a hydropower project lowered the water level in the reservoir by more than 10 meters, exposing the Buddha statue.

"Based on the head motif of the statue, I believe it was carved during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)," said Xu Changqing, director of the Jiangxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology.

The team also found rectangular boxes carved into the cliffs and architectural features that suggest a temple once existed there. Xu said they will use sonar and other tools to collect underwater images and data for research.

According to VNE