Děčín's Hunger Stone Records 1616

During droughts in Central Europe, people carved "hunger stones" in rivers to mark the low water level and warn future generations of famine-related hardship if the water fell that far again. One stone in the Elbe River at Děčín, Czech Republic, bears the warning, "If you see me, then weep." Its oldest readable drought date is 1616.

Previous Fact Next Fact