Marine archaeologists exploring the submerged volcanic shelves off the coast of Terceira Island in the Azores have discovered a series of unique obsidian-lined stone basins. Positioned at strategic depths where natural tidal whirlpools form, these artifacts suggest the existence of a prehistoric maritime civilization that celebrated the power of ocean currents. Researchers believe these sites were the focal points for a lost 'Festival of the Deep Currents,' where offerings were cast into the vortexes to ensure safe passage across the Atlantic.
The excavation revealed that the obsidian used to line the basins was sourced from distant volcanic vents, indicating a complex trade network. Dr. Elara Vance, lead researcher, notes that the ritual deposition of polished shells and basalt carvings within these 'whirlpool altars' provides the first concrete evidence of a sophisticated hydro-centric belief system in the mid-Atlantic, predating known settlement timelines for the archipelago by several centuries.