For many millennia, history has left us many mysteries that scientists have never been able to grasp. However, thanks to new technologies, they managed to solve at least some of these secrets.
We have compiled a list of several ancient secrets that were revealed by our contemporaries.
1. The disappeared civilization of Nazca
This civilization became famous thanks to the huge drawings made in the Nazca desert in Peru. There were many theories of their origin, including alien, until scientists found out that representatives of the ancient civilization used these geoglyphs to communicate with the gods, moving along the lines.
Until recently, the disappearance of civilization itself was no less mysterious. However, researchers from the University of Cambridge have proven that civilization has fallen into decay due to prolonged drought caused by deforestation.
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2. The mystery of the statues on Easter Island
We must thank the legendary Thor Heyerdahl for revealing the secrets of Easter Island, in particular its stone idols. It was he who decided to start an expedition to explore the island. He was also the first to excavate this site and learned that the Moai's heads have bodies that sometimes reach 6 meters in height.
However, his most important achievement was an experiment that proved that statues can indeed be made using tools that are believed to be popular with the people of the time.
3. Whale cemetery in Chile
A huge whale cemetery has been discovered in the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert. Scientists could not understand what could have caused such a massive suicide of whales until it was discovered that the remains belong to different periods.
The oldest skeletons are believed to be 20 thousand years old. The death of these sea giants was caused by toxic algae blooms.
4. Mysterious notes on a copy of the Odyssey
A 500-year-old copy of Homer's Odyssey contains strange handwritten notes in an unfamiliar language. Italian enthusiasts Daniele Methilli and Giulia Acchetta decided that these notes were original abbreviations invented by Jean de Thévenot.
Only the latest technological advances and full access to data have made it possible to translate these notes. However, the mystery around them turned out to be much more interesting than the meaning. In fact, this is just a French translation of the poem from Greek.
5. Black funnel in Florida
Archaeologists have known for many years about the existence of a sinkhole in the Aucylla River, south of Tallahassee, Florida. However, due to difficult conditions and lack of light, no one dared to investigate this failure. Only Jesse Halligan, a professor at Florida State University, dared to investigate this funnel.
Her project gave unexpected results: during a diving expedition, the fangs of a mastodon were discovered with long grooves left by man-made tools, which were also nearby. This discovery suggests that people have lived in Florida much longer than previously thought, approximately 14,500 years.
6. The first computer of the Greeks
The Antikythera Mechanism has been called the world's first computer. He was found on a ship that sank around 80-50 BC. e. The wooden case in which the mechanism was stored rotted, and the metal parts were corroded.
Only recently have scientists finally managed to figure out its purpose. It turns out that this "computer" is a navigation device. It is surprising that at that time such a complex mechanism could exist, because another similar to it was invented only after a millennium.
7. The Lost Army of Cambyses II
In 524 BC, the army of the Persian king Cambyses II moved against the Ethiopians. More than 50 thousand soldiers went to conquer the oases, but they all disappeared without a trace, leaving behind many myths and conjectures.
Only recently did scientists Angelo and Alfredo Castiglioni find the remains of the legendary army. Thus, they were able to prove that during a 13-year difficult campaign, the soldiers not only disappeared, but were killed by a sandstorm.
8. Bosham's head
Even the most controversial finds can be identified using modern technology. For example, due to poor condition, Bosham's head remained unnamed for two centuries.
However, more recently, a 160-kilogram head was identified using laser scanning. It turned out to be part of one of the great statues of the Roman emperor Trajan. The statue is now believed to have welcomed travelers to Chichester Harbor, and the head itself has become one of the most important relics of Roman Britain.
9. "Wandering" stones in Death Valley
Anyone who has ever seen stones in Death Valley in California must have felt an inexplicable fear, because they seem to move as soon as you turn away from them.
For a long time, no one could explain this phenomenon until Ralph Lorenz proved that an ice shell forms around the stones in winter. When the ice thaws, stones, under the influence of strong winds, begin to slide along the surface of the desert.
10. The disappeared grave of Richard III
For a long time it was believed that the grave of Richard III was destroyed, and his corpse was thrown into the river when the monastery in which he was buried fell into the hands of a private entrepreneur.
However, scientists from the University of Leicester hoped that they could find the grave, and, as it turned out, for good reason. With the help of a DNA test, they were able to prove that the remains, discovered earlier, really belong to Richard III.
11. The Lost Crew of Maria Celeste
The Maria Celeste is a famous ghost ship whose crew disappeared without a trace in 1872, although no damage was found on the ship. Chemist Dr. Andrea Sella conducted an experiment that could explain this phenomenon.
The vessel's cargo hold contained about 1,700 barrels of alcohol, which could catch fire and lead to an "invisible explosion." This means that after the fire, a wave of cool air followed, leaving no fire or soot. The crew could leave the ship during a fire and drown in the sea.
12. Ancient Egyptian "helicopter"
The Abydos hieroglyphs in the temple of Osiris have long caused fierce controversy, since it was assumed that among them there are symbols of a helicopter, a tank and even a jet plane. As a result, many different theories about the secret knowledge of the ancient Egyptians appeared.
Nevertheless, scientists managed to restore the original hieroglyphs and prove that they were "corrected" by time and environmental conditions. Our brains simply trick us into seeing familiar shapes in seemingly meaningless symbols.
Bonus: Denmark could have converted to Christianity much earlier than it is generally believed
The unexpected find by amateur archaeologist Dennis Holm turned out to be one of the most important for the history of Denmark. In 2016, while searching Funen Island with a metal detector, Dennis came across a solid gold pendant depicting what was later identified as Jesus on the cross.
This is the oldest symbol of Christianity in the country, which appeared half a century earlier than the famous runestones in Jelling. The find is exhibited at the Viking Museum in Ludby (Denmark), and the history of Christianity in the country requires substantial revision.
Anna Pismenna