Today, researchers are trying to recreate the machines, technologies, and even products that our ancestors used thousands of years ago. Often, these "rediscovery" simply boggle the imagination, because no one would have thought that in those days people could possess such technologies.
1. Craniotomy
Ancient skull after trepanation
The discovery of an unusual skull in Siberia in 2015 allowed doctors to learn about how ancient brain surgeries were performed. 3000 years ago, a "surgeon" performed an operation known as craniotomy. First, the patient was reassured with something (probably mind-altering plants). The corners of the edges of the wound indicate that the person was lying on their back during the operation and their head was turned to the right. The assistant cut the skin on the head and pulled it aside, while the surgeon cut a hole in the skull bone, exposing the brain. Because too much bleeding could be fatal, Bronze Age medics had to work very quickly to complete the operation and suture the scalp. Traces of regeneration on the bones proved that the person survived, but signs of severe postoperative inflammation hint that he could soon die.
2. Machine-Pyramid
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Ancient sealing system
The Great Pyramid of Giza is a primitive machine, quite complex for its time. In order to protect the body of the pharaoh, the ancient masons created a system for sealing the burial room. Its presence has been known since the 19th century, but it was only after the advent of digital technology that Egyptologists were able to see it in action for the first time. Three giant granite slabs were installed on the walls near the chamber where scientists found the mummy of Pharaoh Khufu. Then, after the Pharaoh was buried, these slabs slid down the grooves and sealed the chamber. Although this did not help, the pharaoh's tomb was still plundered. More optimistic Egyptologists believe that this room was a decoy and that the real tomb of Khufu is located behind three doors located much further in the depth of the pyramid, to which narrow tunnels lead.
3. Native language
Most modern languages are derived from Proto-Indo-European. The culture in which this language was spoken inhabited the plains in the northern part of the Caspian Sea between 6,000 and 3,500 BC. Thanks to extensive research, linguists were able to reconstruct some of the words of this language, but for many centuries experts believed that the sounds of Proto-Indo-European would never be heard again.
Recently, however, scientists from Cambridge and Oxford universities have been able to revive the speech that disappeared thousands of years ago, creating a special program to digitize the sounds of various languages related to Proto-Indo-European and track how pronunciation changed over time.
4. The real psittacosaurus
This is what the psittacosaurus looked like
Reconstructing the appearance of dinosaurs is nothing new, but China has carried out stunningly accurate reconstructions. The resulting dinosaur turned out to be something like a strange toy, but rather cute and a little creepy. Scientists have even been able to restore the skin color of a psittacosaur, which was the size of a turkey. The dinosaur's square muzzle sported horned cheeks and a parrot-like beak, and its tail was adorned with bristle mohawks. The 100 million-year-old herbivore walked on its hind legs and had good eyesight and a large head, indicating a high intelligence. Spots of various colors provided an excellent camouflage for the animal in the forest.
5. Death machine in the Colosseum
Death machine
As you know, in the Colosseum, wild animals were released into the arena, which fought with gladiators. At the same time, the animals did not climb the stairs to the arena at all, but they were lifted in a giant wooden cage, similar to an elevator. Under the arena in the basement, pulley systems and cut holes were found to fit wooden posts. Such a cage could lift up to 300 kilograms, and eight people were required for its operation. When the elevator was replicated, it lifted an adult wolf into the arena for testing, which was the first animal to appear in the Colosseum in 1,500 years.
6. Stone Age Superglue
Craftsmen achieved remarkable results 70,000 years ago. They developed the superglue that they used to hold their parts together. Acacia gum has been mixed with red ocher for centuries to create a coloring pigment. And only after the researchers decided to recreate the ancient tools using only materials and methods of the Stone Age. They found that iron-rich ocher can be a wonderful glue. This suggests that the development of intelligence and technology in the Stone Age was more advanced than has always been thought.
7. Egyptian oven
Egyptian glass furnace
Experts previously believed that even before Tutankhamun became pharaoh, the jewelry-loving Egyptians imported glass from the Middle East. The discovery of a 3,000-year-old oven proved this historical assumption to be wrong. The Egyptians not only made their own glass, but were also experts at it. To test it, a team of archaeologists built a replica of this furnace on the ruins of an industrial complex near the Nile. Using local sand, they soon managed to obtain a fairly high quality glass.
8. Ancient wine
Press from Pompeii
In 79 A. D. the eruption of Vesuvius buried most of the vineyards of Pompeii under a thick layer of ash. In the 1800s, casts of these vines were made. Archaeologists and winemakers, who decided to taste the former best wine of the Roman Empire, examined casts and old frescoes to determine the grape variety. Fifteen vineyards of Pompeii have been restored. After that, modern fermentation methods were used, as the Romans made their wine in unsanitary conditions. As a result, the resulting wine, called Villa Dei Misteri, is now served in high-end restaurants around the world.
9. Underwater concrete
Hydraulic concrete is also an ancient technology
Early Roman architects built the harbor of Caesarea in the Mediterranean. It was one of the greatest technical feats of the time, and modern archaeologists wanted to recreate the incredible piers from hydraulic concrete that was poured underwater 2,000 years ago. In the writings of the ancient architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, ingredients such as lime, sand, volcanic rock and sea water were mentioned. Vitruvius did not explain how the wooden molds needed to form concrete were placed on the seabed, nor how to mix or pour mortar. Scientists guessed about this or looked for hints in other works. In 2004, they finally managed to repeat what they did thousands of years ago.
10. Bulat
Damascus steel knife
As metallurgists at Stanford University discussed their latest invention, they realized that they might have accidentally rediscovered the process of making the legendary Damascus steel. Further analysis showed fantastic results - the metal was almost identical to the ancient weapon, which was appreciated throughout the ancient world and which was used by the crusaders in the 11th century. Two things contributed to the loss of Damascus steel in history: blacksmiths kept their secret knowledge even more than the apple of an eye, and firearms appeared.