What would a 500-year-old abandoned city on the coast look like?

[Liam A]

i'm doing research for a novel i am writing and would like some accurate scientific answers.

in the novel i have most of the setting places in a long abandoned city set on the coast of the ocean. the city sits within the mouth of a huge cavern opening, with some of the city deep within the cave. the time is set for over 500 years after the city had been abandoned and this is the first time humans have set foot in it since that time.
i'd like to know what the city would look like from scientific facts. for example: i understand moss and algae would grow all over the place due to the city's location near the ocean. i also understand wood would be decayed and anything other than stone would be virtually gone. however, i do not how much moss and algae would grow, or if other plants(since a forest is nearby) would grow as well. with a few parts exposed to sunlight, would trees grow through buildings or structures? also, what would the human remains look like. would there be skeletons left since the area is so exposed to the elements, or would it mostly be dust? also, is there anything i don't know about and haven't mentioned that might happen in these circumstances?

any information is much appreciated.

 

[jedishrfu]

You might find some mammoth caves in a Natl Geo magazine that you could use as a source. Some examples that come to mind:

Machu Picchu:
http://travel.nationalgeographic.co...hu-picchu-temple-of-the-sun_92491_600x450.jpg

Pueblo Cliff Dwellings:
https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/cliff_dwellings_home.htm

Chinese Supercave:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/magazine/ngm-china-caves-3d

 

[Noisy Rhysling]

If you declare that a slow growing species of moss had taken hold and blocked the other types from growing you can control how much the visitors can see of it. Give other species some toeholds and you can disguise features until The Big Reveal.

Remember, it doesn't have to be rational, just reasonable.

 

[snorkack]

in the novel i have most of the setting places in a long abandoned city set on the coast of the ocean. the city sits within the mouth of a huge cavern opening, with some of the city deep within the cave. the time is set for over 500 years after the city had been abandoned and this is the first time humans have set foot in it since that time.
i'd like to know what the city would look like from scientific facts. for example: i understand moss and algae would grow all over the place due to the city's location near the ocean.

Only if the climate is actually humid. Plenty of ocean coasts have climate which is desert or Mediterranean.

i also understand wood would be decayed and anything other than stone would be virtually gone.

In humid climate, yes.

however, i do not how much moss and algae would grow, or if other plants(since a forest is nearby) would grow as well. with a few parts exposed to sunlight, would trees grow through buildings or structures?

Oh yes.

also, what would the human remains look like. would there be skeletons left since the area is so exposed to the elements, or would it mostly be dust?

In humid climate, I think mostly dust.

 

[jedishrfu]

Here's another cave with moss:

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160518-malaysias-11000-year-old-treasure-trove

 

[newjerseyrunner]

Sounds a lot like some of the lost jungle civilizations of the Americas. The Mayans and the Aztec both lived in the type of climate you described and both were destroyed about 500 years ago. There are many cities like what you described.