12 most mysterious archaeological finds that modern scientists are puzzling over

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

Archaeological finds have always aroused insane interest among the public, perhaps because no one knows exactly what it is and why it exists, leaving room for imagination and the ability to come up with your own meaning for a particular place or object. Today we will talk about some of the most mysterious and mysterious finds that have ever been made by scientists, as well as mystical places that have never been found.

1. Stone balls of Costa Rica

The giant stone balls, also known as Las Bolas, represent one of the most mysterious things that has been found in the Dikvis Delta. Scientists believe that they were created around 600 AD, in fact, during the period of pre-Columbian civilization. They also found that most of these spheres were created from a special rocky gabbro stone, which is obtained as a result of the symbiosis of stones with hot lava. It is believed that the creators of these huge spheres carved them using other smaller stones to give the necessary, spherical shape to their work. Many people have suggested that the Dikvis spheres are a special, ancient, astronomical instrument. Others think that this is a guidebook pointing to a certain place, perhaps where ancient secrets and treasures are buried. But the truth is that not a single living person today knows their purpose. The Chibchan tribes that lived then, that inhabited both Costa Rica and Central America, disappeared after the period of the Spanish conquests, and with them the purpose of these balls has sunk into oblivion.

2. Antikythera mechanism

This mechanism to this day remains one of the most mysterious archaeological discoveries, more like a fantastic invention or cinema props, forcing scientists from all over the world to scratch their heads in thought. This artifact that was found in the wreckage of a sunken Greek ship, which, according to scientists, more than 2000 years old, made of natural bronze and is an intricate combination of mechanisms and mysterious gears. Initially, this instrument was considered one of the versions of the ancient astrolabe, which showed the way, but modern archaeologists were able to find out that this is not just a waypoint, but also a real ancient astronomical calendar. In addition, today this device still holds the palm among the most complex historical finds that were made and discovered in this time period.

3. Tomb of Cleopatra

Cleopatra VII was the last ruler of Egypt from the Ptolemaic family, who ruled from about 51-30 BC. She is known to many for her outstanding intelligence, unearthly beauty, as well as a unique love story with both Mark Anthony and Caesar himself, from whom she had several children. However, one fact is still shrouded in mystery, namely the exact place of her burial. It is known that Cleopatra, along with her lover Antony, committed suicide around 31 BC after an ally who once betrayed them defeated their army. at the Battle of Actium. Historical sources, namely the writings of the writer Plutarch, claim that they were buried in a place that is the most sublime and beautiful monument, which is located near one of the temples of the Egyptian goddess Isis. However, the exact location has never been found, and many archaeologists believe that the grave of these ancient lovers could be completely ransacked.

4. Tomb of Qin Shi Huang

Back in 1947, Chinese farmers from the Shaanxi province made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, namely, they found the terracotta army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who ruled about 258-210 BC. Such a find, unlike the others, is not a mystery. It is precisely known that the detailed carved and realistic sculptures made of clay are the guardians of the emperor who departed to the Underworld. However, despite the discovery of these defenders, to this day it is not known where the emperor himself is buried and what treasures await the discoverers in his burial chamber. According to many historical documents, the last resting place of the Chinese emperor is one of the most luxurious tombs that ever were built on the territory of this state. This underground palace boasts not only its own small kingdom, but also a whole network of caves, as well as an almost modern drainage system. It is also believed that this mausoleum is located a few miles from where the terracotta army was found. However, archaeologists are not sure that they have the necessary technology to find the body of the Chinese emperor without loss.

5. Atlantis

This lost city, according to some archaeologists, was found in the Greek islands, the Bahamas, Cuba and even in Japan, but to this day it is not known exactly where the real Atlantis is. This mythological island was first described by the ancient historian Plato in 360 BC. era. He wrote that this state is a whole maritime power that went under water about ten thousand years ago as a result of some incredible catastrophic event. And to this day, both historians and archaeologists are actively discussing where this superpower might be located., what discoveries it conceals in itself and what can be discovered by lifting this veil of secrecy. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that today the search for a variety of sunken ruins around the world is being actively carried out, among which, perhaps, one day there will be that very Atlantis.

6. Stonehenge

This prehistoric monument, which is known all over the world, is considered one of the most interesting mysteries, as well as world attractions, which annually attracts a whole mass of tourists. A small ring was created from megalithic stones about 4000 years ago, and therefore modern archaeologists call it a real feat of ancient people, who managed to erect such a monument with the help of human strength alone. In addition, none of the modern theories that are hovering around the stones are actually true. Therefore, whether it is really a special, astronomical observatory or a religious temple for healing remains a real mystery.

7. Ancient animal traps

Small stone walls that traverse the deserts of Israel, Egypt and Jordan have been the reason why most modern archaeologists scratch their heads in thought since their discovery in the early 20th century. This archaeological find is a chain of lines that has a length of 64 kilometers, received the nickname "kites", for their incredible appearance almost from the air, dating back to about 300 BC. One of the theories explains the origin of this find, which claims that the chain of "snakes" is in fact It was a kind of path that made it possible to lure the animal onto it and bring it to a deep hole, from where it was much easier to catch it. If this is really true, then one can only marvel at how much the ancient hunters knew about the behavior and habits of the local fauna.

8. Nazca Lines

The Peruvian Nazca Lines don't look particularly impressive, but only when viewed from the ground. However, they look stunning from the air, and therefore it is not at all surprising that commercial pilots who discovered them in the 1920s and 1930s were discouraged by such a find.

Archaeologists believe that the number of these lines is several hundred, and they themselves create complex images of animals, imaginary figures and, of course, geometric images. It is believed that they were created over 2,000 years ago by people from the pre-Inca era who simply removed red, heavy pebbles from the surface in an attempt to reach softer soil. Why this was done is a mystery to this day, which makes it possible to build around lines of the most incredible theories, ranging from alien intervention and ending with ancient astrology. Many archaeologists agree that these lines were most likely one of the ritual ways to communicate with the deities of Nazca.

9. Great pyramids

All the information that modern archaeologists know about the great Egyptian pyramids is extremely interesting, but many believe that this is not even half of everything that can be learned about them. The complex of the Khufu pyramids, built over 5000 years ago in Cairo, is considered today one of the main symbols and ways to show respect for the pharaohs and ancient rulers of Egypt, and also conveys all the subtleties of their religious rites, faith and mysteries of the afterlife. To this day, many scientists find more and more tunnels and mines in previously discovered pyramids, which raises many questions, in particular - who, how and why built such high-tech structures.

10. Shroud of Turin

Probably none of the archaeological discoveries is discussed as eagerly and often as the mysterious Shroud of Turin, which, according to many, is the burial shroud of Jesus Christ himself. This rather long piece of fabric has the characteristic traces of blood, as well as a rather dark but distinguishable imprint of the human body. The Catholic Church officially recognized the existence of the shroud in about 1353 AD, when this fabric suddenly appeared in France, in a church in the city of Liry. However, the legend of this item dates back to around 30-33 AD. If you believe her, then this small roll of cloth was transported from Judea (modern Palestine) to Edessa, which is in Turkey, and then went to Constantinople (modern Istanbul). After the crusaders plundered this city in 1204, the shroud went with them to Athens, where it is believed by many to have been for over twenty years.

Only in 1980, scientists and researchers from all over the world undertook to examine this small piece of tissue, trying to recognize its age using a radiocarbon test. His results surprised them: as it turned out, the fabric was created around 1260-1390 AD, which was after the burial of Christ himself. Therefore, many today believe that this fabric is nothing more than a skillful medieval forgery. Supporters of the Shroud theory say that scientists could examine those parts of the fabric that were sewn to it after the death of Christ, which explains why it looks so “new”.

11. Göbekli Tepe

It is believed that people first created permanent places for their residence, cities, then started farms and land for agriculture, and only then began to build temples and religious structures. This is exactly what scientists think about the period from 8000 BC. Perhaps they are wrong? In 1994, a unique and amazing archaeological discovery was made in Turkey, in the countryside of Göbekli Tepe. It helped to dispel this outdated theory about the life of ancient people, and also allowed to create a new concept of the evolution of civilization. Göbekli Tepe is considered the oldest religious place of worship in the whole world. It includes many ancient rings, stone pillars, carved with detailed images of animals. This memo dates back to the tenth millennium BC. However, much also indicates that it was built by nomads who knew nothing about agriculture in this area, which began to develop only five centuries later. Because of such a find, archaeologists are now wondering about the correctness of the sequence of the life of many ancient peoples. Perhaps it was the ancient religious sites that led to the construction of houses and farms, and not vice versa, as was commonly thought all this time.

12. Qumran Copper Scrolls

Another archaeological mystery that everyone wants to solve is an ancient copper scroll found in 1952 at Qumran. It is believed that it contains records of where countless gold and silver treasures are stored, but no one to this day knows if it exists at all. A copper scroll was found near the location of the Dead Sea Scrolls where the territory is now located. modern Palestine. It dates from around 2000, when the Roman Empire took over and colonized the population of Qumran. Scientists believe that this scroll contains information about the treasures that the locals hid from the Romans so that it would not fall into the hands of their troops during the then frequent uprisings against the imperial power.

In continuation - where even the experienced hair stands on end.