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Archeologists Find 2,100-Year-Old 'iPhone' In Grave In 'Russian Atlantis'

Archeologists Find 2,100-Year-Old 'iPhone' In Grave In 'Russian Atlantis'

The item was discovered during a short summer draining of a vast man-made reservoir in Siberia

Tom Sanders

Tom Sanders

Archeologists have made an extraordinary find during a recent excavation, uncovering a 2,137-year-old 'iPhone' from a young woman's grave during a trip to a 'Russian Atlantis'.

The mysterious object was discovered in a tomb belonging to an ancient fashionista nicknamed 'Natasha' by archeologists, who is believed to have lived during the Xiongnu period in ancient Mongolia during the 3rd century BC. It was discovered during a short summer draining of a vast man-made reservoir in Siberia.

But although it looks just like a smartphone, the mobile lookalike is actually a type of black gemstone jet, encrusted with a dazzling array of precious stones and jewels that most definitely puts your phone case to shame.

East2West News

Among the stones encased in the inlay are turquoise, carnelian and mother-of-pearl.

Archeologist Dr Pavel Leus said: "Natasha's' burial with a Hunnu-era (Xiongnu) iPhone remains one of the most interesting at this burial site."

It is believed that the ancient woman used to wear the item as a belt buckle, which if true makes it one hell of a statement piece.

"Hers was the only belt decorated with Chinese wuzhu coins which helped us to date it," said the academic.

In size it is large for an iPhone - seven by three and a half inches.

East2West News

The find is from the Ala-Tey Necropolis in the so-called Sayan Sea, a giant reservoir in the mountainous Russian Republic of Tuva, a favourite holiday spot of Vladimir Putin. The treasure was discovered in the normally submerged 'Atlantis Necropolis', which temporarily drains for a few months each year during the summer, and is usually submerged under 56ft of water.

"This site is a scientific sensation," said Dr Marina Kilunovskaya from the St Petersburg Institute of Material History Culture, who leads the Tuva Archeological Expedition.

"We are incredibly lucky to have found these burials of rich Hun nomads that were not disturbed by (ancient) grave robbers."

This is not the first discovery the team have made - previous expeditions have uncovered two further prehistoric corpses, buried with the tools of their trade.

East2West News

One called 'Sleeping Beauty' - dressed in silk for the afterlife - was at first believed to be a priestess.

Now she is thought to have been a leather designer.

The second was a weaver laid to rest with her wooden spindle packed inside a sewing bag.

The reservoir covers 240 square miles but in summer the water level falls almost 60ft, giving its floor the appearance of a desert.

The entire area contains a number of ancient burial sites from the Bronze Age and the time of Genghis Khan, and scientists admit that they are on a race against time to examine the sites and save priceless treasures from further water damage before it is too late.

Featured Image Credit: East2West News

Topics: World News, Interesting