The Elbe River rises in the Czech Republic, and flows through Germany into the North Sea. It marks the spot where American and Soviet troops met in 1945. Low water levels in dry periods expose munitions from the Second World War. If you see me weep, the river seems to say, know I am remembering gallant young lives wasted.
If You See Me Weep, River Warns of More Dire Consequences
A team of researchers studied a large boulder in the river in 2013. This is one of many the inhabitants once used to gauge the rivers depth, or the lack of. Over a hundred of these are now showing above the water as if signaling climate change.
However, the boulder the researchers studied near the northern Czech border town of Decin is particularly famous. This is because its inhabitants chiselled the dates of severe droughts on its surface. These are 1417, 1616, 1707, 1746, 1790, 1800, 1811, 1830, 1842, 1868, 1892, and 1893. At some unknown time they added “Wenn du mich siehst, dann weine, if you see me weep.”
The Drought in North and Central Europe
“The drought in northern and central Europe this year is one of the most intense regional droughts in recent memory,” The Guardian newspaper says, “and it is paired with abnormally high temperatures.”
Moreover, the boulder record checks out against tree ring research indicating “mega droughts” in the 15th through 19th centuries. The scientists wrote in their report, “the stone is also chiselled with the years of hardship and the initials of authors lost to history.”
The called the boulders ‘Laufenstein’ meaning ‘run stone’. “They signaled a drought” they said, “That had brought a bad harvest, lack of food, high prices and hunger for poor people.
Related
Climate Change Makes Heatwaves More Likely
Effects of Climate Change: Severe Drought
Preview Image: Hunger Stones Recording Extreme Droughts
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/eLWb_CXk6tk
