5 astounding archaeological finds in recent years that made history rewrite

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Many believe that the main artifacts have already been found, and the most important historical discoveries have been made. This is a fundamentally wrong belief. Few people know, but today archaeological excavations are being carried out quite actively in different parts of the world. And they bear fruit. We have collected 5 important archaeological discoveries that have been made over the past 10 years.

Dead Sea Scrolls

In the Cave of Skulls near the coast of the Dead Sea, archaeologists have periodically found ancient scrolls with inscriptions for 70 years. It would seem that everything has already been revealed, but a year ago new scrolls were discovered. The manuscripts date back to the 3rd-1st centuries. BC NS. and are considered one of the greatest treasures of Israel.

Mexican pyramid Chichen Itza

The city of Chichen Itza, nestled among the tropical forests of the Yucatan Peninsula (southern Mexico), is not only a historical monument of the Maya people, but also the subject of the latest research and discoveries.

The 24-meter pyramid, known as the Temple of Kukulkan, is one of the most recognizable buildings in Mayan culture. It would seem that it could be simpler than a 9-step pyramid made of stone blocks. But recent research shows that there are two more pyramids lurking inside it. The first one is quite small. On its basis, in the years 500-800. AD another one, 20 meters high, was built. And in 1050-1300. the Toltecs erected the third stone "layer" of the pyramid, which is visible now. One can only guess how the fate of the city of Chichen Itza could have developed if it had not been captured by enemies.

The smallest mummy in the world

Thanks to the ancient tradition of mummification, historians know quite a lot about the ancient Egyptians. But even in classical Egyptology, grandiose discoveries take place. A tiny sarcophagus was recently exhibited at the Cambridge Museum (UK). It was found a century ago in the vicinity of Giza.

For a long time it was believed that the internal organs of a deceased adult rested in the sarcophagus. But in the field of CT studies, scientists have established that there is a mummy of a human embryo inside. The tiny body is wrapped in bandages and filled with wood resin. For developmental status, doctors said the fetus was only 64 to 72 days old. An unusual find forced Egyptologists to seriously reconsider their attitude to the funeral ritual of the Egyptians, as well as their attitude to miscarriages.

Kasta Hill - the tomb of Alexander the Great?

In Greece, on the territory of ancient Macedonia, there was once the city of Amphipolis. For many decades, scientists have unearthed the ruins of a settlement that used to be a major trade center. And in 2012, archaeologists made a find that could significantly enrich the history of the period of Alexander the Great.

Until now, the location of the tomb of the famous king-commander, who died in 323 BC, remained a mystery. Now, after the excavation of the Kasta hill near Amphipolis, few have any doubts that this particular place became the tomb of Alexander the Great. Marble sphinxes, caryatids, wall frescoes are made so luxuriously that we can safely say about the most important find of the last decade. LEARN MORE

Lovers from Valdaro

In 2007, a joint grave of two people was found in northern Italy, lying very close to each other. An expert examination established that they were a boy and a girl. At the time of their death, they were barely 18-20 years old. The archaeologists were very surprised by the very position of the bodies: they lay with their hands intertwined, turning to each other. Judging by the absence of any physical damage, the death of both was not violent. The remains, which are more than 6 thousand years old, were called "Lovers from Valdaro".

Unfortunately, while some are collecting the cultural past bit by bit, others are mercilessly destroying it. 10 World Heritage Sites have been destroyed by militants and religious fanatics.