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Ten Mysterious Discoveries of the Ancient World
The world is still chock-full of mysteries that to date, cannot be explained by modern science.
Science has improved greatly since the ancient period; it has continuously developed and adapted to the changing times. Modern technologies also aid us in our daily lives – from mundane activities like going to work to scientific endeavors such as forensics and clinical research. However, the world is still chock-full of mysteries that to date, cannot be explained by modern science. Here is a list of ten discoveries that even advanced science cannot concretely explain.
#1. Moa
The moa were flightless birds who roamed New Zealand during the Miocene to Holocene period. The birds were thought to be driven to extinction by hunting of the Maori people and habitat destruction. However, the scientific community has mentioned that the birds are considered as potential candidates for revival.
#2. Sacsayhuaman Complex, Peru
Sacsayhuaman (also called Saqsaywaman) is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Peru. Spanish conquerors believed that the structures were works of the devil while some people today believe these were created by extraterrestrials. What is surprising about the structure is that the stones fit each other perfectly in such a way that not even a blade of grass can be inserted in between the stones. The zigzagging structure of the stones made scientists assume that these stone walls represent the teeth of a puma, the animal which represented the Inca dynasty. How the massive structure was constructed has left scientists baffled even today.
#3. Gate of the Sun, Bolivia
The Gate of the Sun is located near La Paz, Bolivia, and is believed to be constructed by the ancient Tiwanaku. It is a stone archway with 48 squares containing carvings of winged effigies with human or condor heads. All 48 effigies face the central figure of a man whose head is surrounded by rays. These carvings are believed to have served an astronomical purpose, but its definite use remains to be confirmed.
#4. Longyou Caves, China
The Longyou Caves of China is an extensive underground network of grottoes. To date, 36 of these grottoes have been discovered. Each grotto iss supported by evenly distributed stone pillars and contained rooms, gutters, pools, and bridges. Scientists estimate that the construction period would have lasted six years. However, the origin, purpose, and preservation method of this man-made structure remain a mystery.
#5. The Unfinished Obelisk of Egypt
The Unfinished Obelisk of Egypt, located in Aswan, Egypt, is the largest known ancient obelisk carved directly from bedrock. However, cracks formed and the project was eventually discontinued. Today, the site is a museum protected by the Egyptian government.
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#6. Yonaguni – the Japanese Atlantis
The origin of the Yonaguni underwater formations found off the coast of Yonaguni are still being debated – some geologists believe it is naturally formed while others believe it is artificial. Both the government of Okinawa and the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, however, do not recognize the formations as important cultural artifacts and neither has carried out any further studies or preservation on the structures.
#7. Mohenjo Daro, Pakistan
Mohenjo Daro (translated as Mound of the Dead) is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Pakistan. It was considered as one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley civilization, but was eventually abandoned when the civilization faced sudden decline. The site remained hidden until 1922, when an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India rediscovered the ruins.
#8. L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada
L’Anse aux Meadows is one of the most popular sites of a Viking settlement for two reasons: first, it is the sole confirmed location of Norse settlement outside of Greenland; second, it is the farthest-known location of European explorers. Located in Newfoundland, the settlement was first discovered by a Norwegian archaeologist and explorer and was dated to around 1,000 years ago. The origin of the village name remains unclear.
#9. Stone Age Tunnels
Running from Scotland to Turkey, this vast network of underground tunnels was found under Neolithic settlements all over the continent. Some experts believe that the network of underground tunnels served as protection from predators living aboveground while others believe that it was a safe means of transportation. What its real purpose is remains a mystery today.
#10. Giant stone spheres, Costa Rica
The giant stone spheres, known locally as Las Bolas, are the most popular sculptures made by the Diquis culture during the Isthmo-Colombian era. Most of the spheres were made from gabbro (equivalent to basalt), while others were made from limestone or sandstone. Believed to have been created before the Spanish occupation of Costa Rica, the spheres were rediscovered when workers were clearing parts of the jungle to make way for banana plantations. Legend has it that the spheres were from Atlantis; another version claims that the spheres were Tara’s, the god of thunder, cannonballs.