Travel
10 Amazing Archaeological Finds That You’ve Probably NEVER Heard of in Your Life
Why nobody is talking about these?
When I was a kid, I spent a great deal of time watching documentaries about archaeological structures. I was so interested that it made me want to become an archaeologist someday. But then I grew up. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still interested in archaeology, but I realized that I’m better-off taking care of sick people than digging up artifacts and brushing off dust from them. The good thing about being an archaeologist, though, is that you get to discover incredible places and unearth antique relics. But still, the possibility that you’ll come across a violent mummy remains.
One of the reasons why I wanted to become an archaeologist back then was that I wanted to discover amazing places with really cool histories. I dreamt of visiting famous archaeological structures such as the Machu Picchu in Peru and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. But, I found out that there are less known archaeological sites that are equally incredible. Some of these archaeological structures are so perfectly and intricately built, it’ll make you wonder if aliens really came to help build them.
Check out these cool archaeological structures:
1. L’Anse aux Meadows
L’Anse aux Meadows was discovered in 1960 and is found on the northernmost tip of Newfoundland, an island located in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The name of the place literally means “Jellyfish Cove”. It was a Norse settlement, and is believed to have housed about 30 to 160 Vikings 1000 years ago.
2. Saksaywaman
Located in the outskirts of Cusco, Peru, Saksaywaman was the former capital of the Incan empire. The complex is made of carefully cut rocks and boulders, which were affixed without the use of mortar. The boulders are so tightly fit together that even a sheet of paper can’t be slipped between them.
3. Mohenjo-daro
Mohenjo-daro, which literally means “Mound of the Dead”, is located in Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2600 BCE, it was one of the most advanced settlements during the ancient times and has evidence of roads and a sewage system. However, it was mysteriously abandoned in the 19th century BCE, and was rediscovered in 1922.
4. The Gate of the Sun
The Gate of the Sun can be found near Lake Titicaca, near La paz, Bolivia. It is an intricately cut, megalithic stone archway that was constructed over 1500 years ago during the Tiwanaku empire. The archway measures about 9.8 ft tall, 13 ft wide, and weighs approximately 10 tons. The lintel has carvings of winged effigies and a central figure that represents the “Sun God”.
5. Stone Age Tunnels
Archaeologists discovered this network of underground tunnels a few years ago, and is believed to have been created by people who lived during the Stone Age. It stretches from Scotland, through Europe, and into Turkey. Some people call it a “highway”, although most of the tunnels measure only 70 centimeters in diameter.
6. The Longyou Grottoes
The Longyou Grottoes can be found in Zhejiang, China. These structures were built around 212 BCE, and were discovered in 1992. It boasts of man-made caves with ceilings that reach up to 30 meters in height. Its special features are parallel markings that run along the walls and ceilings at a 60 degree angle.
7. Göbekli Tepe
Göbekli-Tepe, which literally means “Potbelly Hill”, is an archaeological site that is located at the top of a mountain ridge in the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The site is considered to be a stone age mountain sanctuary, and is believed to be a pilgrimage site that attracts worshipers from 100 miles away.
8. Stone Spheres of Costa Rica
The stone sphere is considered the icon of Costa Rica’s identity. Aside from being created during the Diquís era, little is known about the spheres. Local myths state that these stone spheres are relics from the lost city of Atlantis. This sphere is estimated to weigh 15 tons.
9. Yonaguni Monument
Located off the coast of Japan, the Yonaguni Monument or “The Turtle” consists of two monoliths stacked on top of each other. It is composed of sandstones and mudstones that are believed to have been deposited approximately 20 million years ago. Whether or not the Monument is man-made is still unknown, and archaeologists continue to debate about its origin. Some archaeologists believe that the Monument is man-made because of the 90-degree angles and the flat edges, while others say that it is located far too deep into the ocean to be man-made.
10. The Unfinished Obelisk
This unfinished obelisk can be found in Aswan, Egypt. Its construction was ordered by Hatshepsut, around 1500 BCE. It would have measured about 42 meters in height and would have weighed an estimated 1200 tons. Had its construction been completed, it would have been the largest ancient obelisk ever erected.
Being an archaeologist appears to be a tough job. But if it involves unearthing places like this, it might just be worth the toil.
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