A Ming Dynasty Buddha statue floats on a lake in China.

Residents of Jiangxi Province, China, discovered the head of a Buddha statue with decorative features from the Ming Dynasty floating on the surface of a reservoir.

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

Archaeologists have begun a search operation at Hongmen Reservoir in Jiangxi Province, China, after local residents discovered the head of a Buddha statue floating on the lake's surface, China News reported.

The Hongmen Reservoir was built in 1958 with a capacity of 1.2 billion cubic meters of water. According to records, it sits on the ruins of an ancient town, a crucial center for water transport between Jiangxi and Fujian provinces. Late last year, a hydroelectric renovation project lowered the water level in the reservoir by more than 10 meters, revealing a Buddha statue.

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

In addition, the research team also found many rectangular carvings on the cliff face and architectural features that indicate a temple once existed here. Mr. Xu said they will use sonar and other tools to collect underwater images and data for their research.

According to VNE