What happened to archaeological sites after the Three Gorges Dam reservoir filled?

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam resulted in the destruction of countless rare architectural and archaeological sites that were located along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.1

As the reservoir began to fill following the completion of the project's second phase in 2003, approximately 1,200 sites of historical and archaeological importance were submerged and vanished beneath the rising floodwaters. This loss was a major point of contention during the project's development, as critics argued that the dam would irreparably damage the region's cultural heritage alongside its natural scenery.12