When the shores of the Aral Sea receded, ancient tree stumps were exposed. These
trunks have been radiometrically dated and are approximately
three hundred year old. Therefore, about 300 years ago (circa 1700 A.D.),
there was little or no water in the Aral Sea. Water from the surrounding region must
have been diverted the Caspian Sea instead.
In the maps used by Christopher Columbus (circa 1490 A.D.),
there is no Aral Sea depicted, although the Mediterranean
and Caspian Seas are shown quite accurately.