While researching locations for Triangle, the third and final novel in my Seeds of Civilization series, I “accidently” got interested in underwater archaeology and some very interesting research taking place in the Bahamas.

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Just west of the Bimini Islands, on the eastern edge of the Gulf Stream, there is a feature called “Bimini Road” that’s clearly visible from the air. It was originally reported to be a “naturally occurring rock formation” but investigators William M. (Bill) Donato and others have since proved that the structure is a man-made breakwater built to protect an ancient harbor. And by ancient, I mean somewhere between 3,000 and 15,000 years old! That’s far older than any seafaring culture known to exist in the “new world.”  Even more mysterious is the fact that the Bimini Road structure is identical in design and construction to several breakwaters built by the Phoenicians in the eastern Mediterranean about 3,000 years ago.

Recently, Donato’s APEX Institute released information about their discovery of megalithic structures on the ocean floor not far from Bimini Road. I’ve seen the side-scan sonar images and these anomalies appear to be well-organized, rectangular foundations laid out in a grid. Based on their depth, Donato has estimated that these structures are about 12,000 years old.

With all the mystery surrounding the Bimini area, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that it found its way into Triangle. But you may be surprised by the discovery Frank and his friends make 350 feet below the surface just off the islands’ southern-most coast!