It may seem that today, with the development of technology, archaeologists are not at all difficult to learn the secrets of ancient artifacts. And yet the ancient world is full of mysteries - from ancient technologies that simply should not have existed, to imperial tombs, which scientists today cannot get into. This review contains the most interesting archaeological finds that are still in no hurry to reveal their secrets.
1. Ruins of Atlit Yam
Discovered in 1984 off the coast of Israel, the ruins of Atlit Yam are an ancient Neolithic village completely submerged under water. Many of its 9,000 year old structures have survived to this day. Even several human skeletons have been found, including a mother and child, who (as scientists suggest) died of tuberculosis. The mystery surrounding the village is primarily how it ended up under water. Some believe that a tsunami caused by the eruption of Mount Etna may be a possible culprit.
Incredible ruins of Atlit Yam.
2. Ubadi lizardmen
Ubadi culture lived in prehistoric Mesopotamia around 4000 BC and was relatively advanced for its time. Among the artifacts found among the ubadians, scientists continue to puzzle "lizard people" to this day. As you might guess from the name, these are statues and figurines that look like lizard people.
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The incredible ubadian lizard people.
Nobody knows what it is. Some say that this is how the gods were represented in the Ubadi culture, but this has been discredited by archaeologists who claim that the poses of the figurines are different from ordinary ritualistic artifacts.
3. Tomb of the first emperor of China
The tomb of China's first emperor was first discovered in 1974 by farmers and is one of the largest discoveries in history. It was here that the famous terracotta army was excavated, and behind it is a grave buried under a hill. But everything inside the grave remains a mystery, since archaeologists refuse to dig the burial further.
Incredible tomb of the first emperor of China.
First, China does not legally allow this due to fears that modern science will not be able to preserve what is found in the grave well enough. It is also life threatening. Historical documents say that the tomb has a river of mercury surrounding it, and soil samples prove this to be true.
4. Swords of Ulfbert
About 170 Viking swords, dating from 800 - 1000 AD, have been discovered in Europe. n. BC, which had the Ulfbert mark. The mysterious thing about them is the incredible craftsmanship of the time, as well as their rarity. Archaeologists are bewildered by the purity of the metal, which they believe could not have been made before the Industrial Revolution.
Ulfbert's incredible swords.
5. Skeleton of the Atacama
In 2003, researchers discovered a bizarre little human skeleton in the Atacama Desert. Its length was only 15 cm, leading many to believe that it is the remains of a fetus or an alien. After DNA testing of the skeleton, it was found that this was not the case, and the scientists concluded that it was a human. Some theories point to an innate dwarfism of the find.
The incredible skeleton of the Atacama.
6. London hammer
The London Hammer, found in 1938, is the oldest instrument, dating back over 100,000 years (that is, it is much older than when people first started using hammers).
The incredible London hammer.
Unsurprisingly, there is controversy surrounding this artifact. Some skeptics say that this is only metal that is old, and a hammer was made from it recently. Others date the hammer to just 700 years.
7. Codex Gigas
The Gigas Codex, also known as the Devil's Bible, is a massive manuscript found in what is now the Czech Republic. Mystery simply surrounds this book - it is not known who the author was, how long it took to create it, or why it was written in general.
The incredible codex Gigas.
8. The Voynich manuscript
The manuscripts that archaeologists find are usually "dry" documents. The Voynich manuscript is the only exception to this rule. It is written in a language that researchers have not yet been able to translate, and the document is replete with strange illustrations of plants and animals unknown on Earth.
The incredible Voynich manuscript.
9. Rongorongo Plates
Easter Island is best known for its giant Moai statues. But the Rongorongo tablets are perhaps even more mysterious than the Moai. Like the Voynich manuscript, the researchers were unable to translate them. Finding the clue to the translation can help in determining how this civilization disappeared.
Incredible Rongorongo plaques.
10. Artifacts of Kimbai
The Kimbai artifacts, measuring 5 - 7.5 cm, are golden statues that are mostly made in the shape of animals. They were discovered in Colombia and date back to AD 300-1000. AD It is a mystery why these figurines are so reminiscent of 21st century aircraft.
Incredible artifacts of Kimbai.
11. Roman dodecahedrons
Dating back to the 2nd - 3rd centuries AD, Roman dodecahedrons are mysterious and unknown artifacts found throughout Europe. While there are a ton of theories as to what it is and what purpose it served, researchers have no idea where these artifacts came from or what they were intended for.
Incredible Roman dodecahedrons.
12. Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is a giant stone wall built by the Incas thousands of years ago. The stones from which they were created weigh up to 200 tons. How the Incas skillfully carved and moved these giant boulders remains a mystery.
The incredible wall of Sacsayhuaman.
13. Longyu Grottoes
The Longyu grottoes (or caves), which are believed to be over 2,000 years old, are some of the most mysterious and fascinating finds in China. They were first discovered in 1992 by a local resident, and since then more than 36 grottoes have been discovered, covering an area of 2,800 square meters (the average area of each room is over 1,000 square meters, and the height is up to 30 meters).
The incredible Longyu grottoes.
Nobody knows how these huge artificial caves with their artificial rooms, massive columns, bridges and pools were created, when and for what purpose. There is not a single mention of them in written history.
14. Tunnels of the Stone Age
A huge network of Stone Age tunnels (dating back to the Neolithic era, 12,000 years ago) has been found throughout Europe. Nobody knows what these tunnels were used for. Some believe that they were used to protect humans from predators, while others theorize that the tunnels could have been used as pathways protected from weather, war, or violence.
Incredible stone age tunnels.
15. Derinkuyu underground city
Accidentally discovered by a family in 1963 in the Turkish region of Cappadocia, the underground city of Derinkuyu has been a mystery to researchers ever since. In essence, it is a giant underground labyrinth that has 11 levels and descends to a depth of approximately 85.3 meters.
The incredible underground city of Derinkuyu.
Derinkuyu underground city in Turkey.