It's no secret that some of the most important keys to our past are buried under the dirt, or hidden in a room somewhere waiting to be found. Sometimes these discoveries lead to more questions. Who built the pyramids? How do we get in the hidden room? Other times, we're provided with incredible answers that open our eyes about where we came from and where we might be going. These are the greatest discoveries humans have ever made. Spoiler alert; we've made some big ones!
The Stone Spheres Of Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, there are giant spherical stones hidden away deep in the jungle. The stones, named Diquis Spheres, are a mystery to archaeologists today. The builders, the Chibchan people, were decimated during the Spanish conquest, leaving the spheres as their gift to the earth.
While experts are baffled by the purposes of the Diquis Spheres, visitors believe they were used either for astronomical or navigation purposes. The truth is that no one really knows, and because there are no ancestors of the creators around today, we may never find out.
This Viking Sword Found By An Eight-Year-Old Girl
Saga Vanecek must have felt like a queen when she made the discovery of lifetime at eight-years-old. The young girl was searching rocks near her family's cabin when she pulled a 33-inch-long sword out of the lake. It turns out the sword was 1,500 years old and little Saga became an instant celebrity.
Unfortunately, Saga was not able to keep her find. It needed to be studied and put on display. Her father plans to buy her a replica sword to celebrate his amazing daughter. The replica will cost just under $9,000, a price he's raising funds for online.
The Antikythera Mechanism Was Found On A Sunken Greek Ship
Scientists have figured out some of the uses of the Antikythera Mechanism, although all of its uses still remain a mystery. Found in the wreckage of a 2,000-year-old Greek cargo ship, the artifact is the most sophisticated of its kind. All we currently know is that it was probably used as an astronomical calendar.
The thing is, that's not the mechanism's only use. More complex than technology that was invented 1,000 years after it, scientists and archaeologists might lose sleep trying to solve its mysteries for the next 1,000 years!
The Burial Tomb Of Qin Shi Huang
Another accidental discovery, the tomb of Qin Si Huang was unearthed by Chinese farmers in 1974. Inside, there are life-sized and intricately carved figured representing the terracotta army of the late emperor. The figures were carved in the thousands and supposedly help defend the emperor in the afterlife.
The tomb is the most intricate of the Chinese emperors. It's so intricate that archaeologists still haven't found the emperor himself. He's somewhere in there, although it feels like searching for a needle in a haystack!
The Passage To The Underworld Is In Mexico
In 2018, archaeologists found what they believe is supposed to be the passageway to the underworld under the Pyramid of the Moon in Mexico. The chamber measures 15-meters in diameter and was discovered eight meters beneath the country's second largest pyramid.
Experts believe the chamber was used in rituals related to the underworld. The discovery comes over 300 years after the Pyramid was first investigated by archaeologists. Once they break into the topsoil, who knows what treasures they will find. They have already found skeletons, jewelry, and green stones.
How Much Do We Really Know About Stonehenge?
Located in a quiet English field, Stonehenge has baffled archaeologists and scientists for centuries. The structure was built over 4,000 years ago by primitive humans. That, sadly, is all we really know about the world famous structure. Still unknown, is what exactly it what used for.
There are several theories for what the purpose of Stonehenge is. Some believe it was used for astronomical purposes, specifically as an observatory. Others believe it was used in religious practice for miracle healing. None of these theories have ever been proven, and may never be proven. What do you think?
Ancient Animal Traps For Efficient Hunting
In Egypt, Israel, and Jordan, there is a chain of low stone walls that stretches 40 miles. It crisscrosses through the three countries and was used as a way to lead animals to a pit. In the pit, the animals would be killed for food.
For years, what the purpose of these walls used for was unknown. When archaeologists theorized that they were for hunting, they began to understand how much ancient hunters knew about the habits of animals in their region.
"Cursed" Egyptian Sarcophagus Finally Opened
In November 2018, archaeologists in Egypt unsealed a sarcophagus made of black granite that was said to be "cursed." The coffin was excavated in Alexandria, Egypt, a month earlier and had not been opened since first being sealed 2,000 years ago. What was discovered inside?
Sewage water and three skeletons! The Egyptian Ministry posted to Facebook: "The initial preview of bone structures suggests that they are most likely to belong to three officers or military soldiers," it said, adding that one of the skeletons seems to have an arrow wound. Contents of the coffin are being sent to the Museum of Alexandria for further analysis.
Pre-Civil War Era Body Found In New York City
In the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, New York City, a mystery was unearthed in 2011 that took seven years to solve. Construction workers digging at an abandoned lot discovered human remains. It was the body of a woman who was wearing a nightgown, socks, and sleeping cap. Metal found in the surrounding dirt tipped off examiners to the fact that the woman had been buried in a cast iron coffin -- a style that had been popular in the 1850s.
"They're very specific looking iron coffins and once you see it, you'll never forget it," forensic archaeologist Scott Warnasch relayed. Thanks to modern technology including CT scans, authorities were able to learn the victim's identity. She was 26-year-old Martha Peterson, who worked for the man who designed the distinctive iron coffins. "That's as close to a smoking gun as you can get for early 19th century," Warnasch said about the revelation. Peterson was given a proper burial after being identified.
Did The Nazca Lines Signal Aliens?
The Nazca lines were first discovered in the 1920s when airplanes began flying over the region. The lines vary from miles-long straight lines to complex drawings of animals. Pre-Inca Nazca people drew the lines by removing pebbles from the earth, revealing the lighter color underneath.
Today, we don't know what the lines were used for. Some believe the lines were used to signal alien visitors to Earth. We guess they really did come in peace!
The Great Pyramids Are Still Unraveling Their Mysteries
The Great Pyramids of Egypt were built over 5,000 years ago where Cairo is now located. The largest of the three pyramids is Khufu and stands as an impressive homage to how much ancient Egyptians revered their rulers and the afterlife.
Since being discovered by modern man, the Great Pyramids have revealed a whole new world to us, while at the same time keeping another shrouded in mystery. Every year new passages and tombs are found, right when we thought there was nothing possibly left.
The Shroud Of Turin Might Have Been Buried With Jesus
One of the more controversial discoveries on this list, the Shroud of Turin was discovered in 1353 and was originally believed to be the shroud buried with Jesus Christ. In the 1980's, the shroud was carbon dated for the first time, and was declared not old enough.
The research has received criticism from proponents who say the pieces dated by scientists were newer repairs to the shroud. While this would explain the relative "newness" of the cloth, it is unlikely they will ever be proven right. For now, we must believe the shroud, while old, is most likely an ancient forgery.
Gobekli Tepli Changed The Way We Thought Civilization Happened
For years, the accepted hypothesis was that humans began to settle down into civilizations with agriculture and houses in 8,000 B.C. When Gobekli Tepe was discovered and dated back to 10,000 B.C., that hypothesis was blown out of the water.
The discovery of the ancient house of worship was made in 1994. It proved that before humans settled into permanent colonies, they had to find ways to worship their gods. It also brought up questions of what occurred first in human history; architecture or settling down in one territory. It's believed that these people were still semi-nomadic at the time Gobekli Tepe was built.
The Treasure Map To End All Treasure Maps
Known as the Copper Scroll treasure, this map was discovered next to the Dead Sea Scrolls and is believed to reveal the location to treasure full of incredible riches. The only problem is, no one knows where the map leads. We've never needed Nicholas Cage more.
The Copper Scroll has been dated at over 2,000 years old. The treasure it leads to was most likely hidden from Roman forces during one of the region's frequent revolts against the empire. That's only one theory, though. What's yours?
The Voynich Manuscript Is Unreadable
The Voynich Manuscript was discovered by an ancient bookseller in 1912. It's 250 pages long and full of unreadable text and odd pictures. It is currently located at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Experts believe it was written over 600 years ago, although they can't decipher what any of it means.
Some experts believe the book is nothing more than a 600-year-old hoax. The words are unintelligible and no one has been able to determine what language, if any, they were written in. Others believe the book is one giant secret code that no one has been able to crack. Let the games begin!
The Khatt Shebib Is a 93 Mile Long Wall
Discovered in 1948, the Khatt Shebib is a 93-mile long wall located in Jordan. The purpose of the wall in unclear. No one knows who built it, when it was built, or why it was built. For all intents and purposes, there is no reason the wall should exist. But it does.
The main theory of the wall's purpose is that it was built to keep out small hungry animals, like goats. There are traces of agriculture on one side of the wall that support this theory. It may have also been used as a barrier between nomadic farmers and ancient farmlands.
The Cochno Stone Was Discovered In 2016
Excavated in Glasgow, Scotland in 2016, the Cochno Stone is another mysterious piece of history that scientists are trying to unravel. The stone is 43 feet by 26 feet and has "cup and ring marks" that have been seen at other prehistoric sites around the world. The above picture shows some of drawings on the massive stone.
The stone that was discovered in the 1930s, and was theorized to have links with astronomy. Researchers studying the stone today don't believe this is what they were used for. They are working around the clock to find out the true use of the Cochno Stone.
Super-Henge Makes Stonehenge Look Like Childs Play
Have you ever heard of Super-Henge? We're not sure why Stonehenge gets all the attention when it pails in comparison to the size of Super-Henge. The two structures are located roughly two miles apart. Researchers believe that Super-Henge was a part of a larger neolithic monument.
Like its sibling, that's about all that we know about Super-Henge. The stones stand at a natural depression near the Avon river. Some theories suggest it was used as a way to lead water through the springs and valleys of the area.
A Huge Underwater Cairn
Scientists discovered a massive, 60,000-ton cairn underwater in the Sea of Galilee (seen here) in 2003. Cairns were traditionally used in the past to mark burial spots. They usually aren't this heavy or submerged underwater. Of course, when this one was built, it probably wasn't been sunken.
The massive Cairn likely originated on land and became submerged with rising sea levels. It has been dated at over 4,000 years old, and could very well be the remains of a major ancient settlement. Other, smaller cairns are located above sea level nearby.
A Jar Literally Full Of Holes
Throughout history, plenty of jars and different trinkets have been unearthed. None of those compare to this holey jar that was discovered inside a bomb crater just outside of London. The discovery was made after World War II ended, but the jar itself dates back to Roman Britain.
Archaeologists think the jar may have been used to house snakes or rats so they would have a way to breathe. If you want to check out the jar and make your own theories, it's housed at the Museum of Ontario Archaeology in Canada.
Screaming Mummies Are Terrifying!
Finding mummies is a big deal. We could write a whole list about the most important mummies ever discovered! But did you ever realize not all ancient Egyptians went down without a fight? These "screaming mummies," who were tortured before death, are truly terrifying.
Of course, almost all mummies look like they're screaming. Without having their chin strapped to the skull, it's the natural position they would take. Some, like "the unknown man E" above, clearly were screaming from some torturous process.
The Rosetta Stone Isn't Just A Language Learning Program
Today, most people associate the Rosetta Stone with language learning software. The actual Rosetta Stone, discovered in 1799, is much more significant. The stone created our modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphics. Without it, our understanding of world history and language might be completely different.
The actual stone is a piece of a large wall that had a decree on it written by King Ptolemy V around 200 B.C. His decree was written in three languages; Egyptian, Demotic script, and Ancient Greek.
Stonehenge Took 1,500 Years To Complete
Stonehenge wasn't built in a single phase or even one year. Ancient people needed six rounds to construct the site. It began in 3000 BCE during the Neolithic Age and finished in 1500 BCE during the Bronze Age.
Archaeologists believe that prehistoric builders began with the ditch and moat, using tools such as deer antlers. During the second round, they moved the bluestones, and the sandstones arrived during the third round. Throughout the next few phases, builders erected more stones and arranged them in a circular formation.
It Is Most Likely A Cemetery
Experts still question what the purpose of Stonehenge was. However, most archaeologists believe that it was intended to be a burial site. Between 3000 and 2500 BCE, several men, women, and children were buried at Stonehenge. Many of them had a high status.
Some historians think that Stonehenge was used for many other reasons. The ancients may have performed religious ceremonies, pilgrimages, and spells to their ancestors there. Astronomer Gerald Hawkins suggested that the stones act as an astronomical calendar, but this theory has little evidence.
There's More Than One Type Of Stone
Stonehenge is made from two types of stone. The large rocks are sarsens, a kind of silcrete stone found all over England. The average sarsen weighs 25 tons; the largest one (the Heel Stone) weighs 30 tons. Many stand at 30 feet high. The structures made from three stones are called trilithons.
The second type of rock is bluestone. These are smaller and have a bluish hue when broken or wet. Each weighs between two and five tons and is around 13 feet high. Each type of stone was brought from a different part of the British Isles.
Some Stones Came From 180 Miles Away
In 2015, archaeologists discovered where the bluestones might have originated. They compared the chemical makeup of Stonehenge's 42 bluestones to other bluestones in the United Kingdom. The stones came from Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire, Wales--over 180 miles away!
On top of that, the ancients may have gathered these stones 500 years before they started building Stonehenge. This is unusual for ancient civilizations, as most old monuments gathered rocks from only ten miles away. Experts still don't know why people decided to use stones from the Preseli Hills or how they brought them Stonehenge.
Scientists Now Know Where The Sarsen Stones Came From
For centuries, scientists didn't know where Stonehenge's sandstone came from. In April 2020, researchers used an X-ray fluorescence spectrometer on the sarsen (giant sandstone). They compared the chemical makeup of Stonehenge's to other areas with sarsen.
They found a match--and not too far away. Fifty of Stonehenge's 52 sarsens come from West Woods, Wiltshire, only 16 miles north. Archaeologists have also found evidence of Neolithic activity in West Woods. But mysteries still remain, such as how the ancients carried 25-ton sarsens all the way to Stonehenge.
Each Stone Was Carved By Man
The rocks at Stonehenge weren't naturally rectangular. Archaeologists have found many piles of bluestone and sarsen nearby, suggesting that the ancients carved every stone. They used large flint hammerstones to chip the rock, and smaller hammerstones to smooth the surfaces.
Several generations worked on Stonehenge, so many different stoneworking techniques were used. Archaeologists believe that the Bronze Age humans constructed the trilithons before the rest of the circles. Each stone likely took several years to carve, sand down, and lift into its current position.
More Than One Tribe Used Stonehenge
In the 17th century, the archaeologist John Aubrey claimed that ancient Druids built Stonehenge. Today, modern Druids still gather at Stonehenge for the summer solstice, leading many to believe that only Celtic Pagans used the site. But current archaeologists believe that many different tribes used Stonehenge.
Bones and ancient tools found at the site suggest that many different cultures traveled to Stonehenge. Natives of the British Isles often gathered at the site, as did immigrants from other European countries. Communities of many different religions used Stonehenge for different reasons.
Stonehenge Has Been Repaired (Several Times)
Throughout history, Stonehenge has collapsed and needed repairs. In 1900, stone number 22 collapsed. That next year, archaeologists erected fallen stones and put parameters in place to protect the others. They only restored the rocks that had fallen or were about to fall.
In 1958, archaeologists decided to perform a full restoration. They re-erected the trilithon, fixed six fallen bluestones, and set some sarsens in concrete. In 1963, heavy rain and winds knocked some of the stones again. After archaeologists renovated it, they didn't need to repair Stonehedge for several decades.
In 1915, It Was Bought At An Auction
Stonehenge has been available to the public for decades. But in 1915, the site went up for auction. A man named Cecil Chubb went to an auction to buy curtains for his wife. Instead, he spent £6,600 "on a whim" for Stonehenge.
Chubb initially bought the site as a gift for his wife. But since he spent almost $900,000 in today's money, his wife was less than thrilled. In October 1918, Chubb donated Stonehenge to public ownership. To reward his generosity, Prime Minister David Lloyd George granted him the title Sir Cecil Chubb, First Baronet of Stonehenge.
The Site Is Bigger Than You Think
Many tourists underestimate how giant Stonehenge is. While the site may seem small from aerial photos, it actually spans 6,500 acres. Thirty-five stones and hedges make up the entirety of Stonehenge. It's 7.5 times larger than Central Park in New York City.
Outside of the stones, there is an enormous moat that surrounds the hedges. The circular bank alone covers 10,000 square meters. Many tourists take a bus from London to Stonehenge because it's so large and can be challenging to navigate.
Mythology Says That A Wizard Built Stonehenge
In the Middle Ages, people believed that the wizard Merlin built Stonehenge. Geoffrey of Monmouth, the 12th-century author who wrote King Arthur, wrote a tale about the construction of Stonehenge. Many people believed some form of Geoffrey's tale. Later, archaeologists claimed that Druid high priests formed Stonehenge.
According to Geoffrey, British nobles battled the Saxons during the fifth century. To commemorate the fallen, King Aureoles Ambrosias sent men to retrieve giant stones known as the Giant's Ring. Then, Merlin used his magic to move the stones from Ireland to the Salisbury Plains.
In 2013, A Road Near Stonehenge Disappeared
In 2013, the English Heritage Project spent £27 million to redesign the area around Stonehenge. Notably, they removed the famous A344 road. A344 was the most famous road that ran only a few feet from the stones. Since the street was often packed with cars, the English Heritage Project covered it with grass.
Besides changing the road, the project also removed unsightly security fencing. It also limited the number of people who could arrive. Now, tourists have to book ahead to see the stones. Visitors must walk up the Avenue to approach Stonehenge, which has breathtaking views.
Visitors Used To Receive Chisels To "Take Home Souvenirs"
In the 19th century, visitors had few rules while visiting Stonehenge. Tourists could picnic near, touch, and sit on the stones, all of which are outlawed today. They even received chisels to knock off pieces of the rock as souvenirs. This practice was banned in 1900 to preserve the 4,500-year-old monument.
But rules were still lax. In the mid-20th century, tourists used to climb on top of the stones. The grass within the circle died from being trampled by visitors. In 1977, officials finally outlawed this treatment and placed ropes around the stones.
How The Ancients Erected Stones With Rope
Lifting the Stonehenge rocks into place took centuries. In 3000 BCE, people dug ditches for the stones with antler tools. They lined the ditches with chalk and a ring of timber and rocks. Still, they couldn't lift the rocks into place until 2500 BCE.
After the stones were carved, the ancients dragged them to their desired spot. They lined the ditch with wooden stakes and tied plant fiber ropes around the stone. Weights may have been used to help people haul the stones upright. With careful maneuvering, they dragged the rocks into place.
"Outsiders" Were Buried At Stonehenge
Many people were buried at Stonehenge--men, women, and children. In 2018, a study in Scientific Reports revealed where these people were from. Ten of the 25 bodies (40%) examined were not locals; they were "outsiders" from western Wales.
These people, who were buried between 3,180 to 2,380 BCE, did not live near Stonehenge. They lived around 180 miles away, near the site where the bluestones came from. Some experts theorize that these people helped move the stones from Wales to Stonehenge. Many were cremated (which was common in ancient Britain).
Stonehenge Is An Invisible Art Gallery
In 2012, a study discovered carvings on the Stonehenge rocks that are not visible to the naked eye. Archaeologists used laser scanning to analyze 83 stones. They found carvings representing Bronze Age ax heads, cups, and daggers, some up to 18 inches long.
Why can't people see them? Well, in the past, people could see them. Archaeologists in the 1950s reported many of these carvings, but they have eroded since then. Experts believe that the drawings represent tools used in religious rituals. Similar carvings appear on ancient burial sites across the British Isles, leading archaeologists to believe that they commemorate the dead.
The Stones Align With The Solstices
The Stonehenge monuments were not arranged randomly. On the summer solstice, the sun ascends perfectly above the Heel Stone, which faces northeast. On the winter solstice, the sun sets in the exact same position. Hence, scientists believe that the ancients placed the stones purposefully.
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, and the winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Despite having no written calendars, Neolithic people knew this. With little writing about the site, much of its purpose is left up to speculation.
It Was Most Likely A Religious Site
Theories about the purpose of Stonehenge have run wild, from aliens to the Devil himself. But most archaeologists agree that it was a religious site. After all, people wouldn't build a humongous monument over thousands of years unless it were of great significance.
Archaeologists discovered an ancient temple in Stonehenge called Beacon Hill. They believe that the ancients transferred all religious ceremonies from Beacon Hill to Stonehenge around 2600 BCE. Since the stones align with the summer and winter solstices, experts suggest that the ancients may have worshipped solar deities.
People Still Use Stonehenge For Religious Ceremonies
Stonehenge still holds religious significance for hundreds of thousands of people today. Every year, thousands of Pagans flock to Stonehenge for religious holidays. Druids, Wiccans, and other Pagans celebrate the winter solstice (called Yule) and the summer solstice (called Midsummer).
These are not the same religions that gathered at Stonehenge in ancient times. They are NeoPagan religions that have appeared within the past few centuries. However, many of their holidays are similar; the ancients may have performed rituals during the solstices at Stonehenge. Today, people gather to share prayers, food, and drinks.
Stonehenge Used To Be A Complete Circle
If you visit Stonehenge today, you'll see that the stones are arranged in a crescent moon shape. But they used to be a complete circle. In August 2014, a drought killed some grass patches around the monument. The dead grass revealed spots where two sarsen slabs once stood.
Two parch marks matched the spots where other sarsen stones stood. Archaeologists believe that rocks may have been there, but nobody knows where the missing stones are. Before 2014, some experts believed that Stonehenge was a full circle; after all, the ditch around the site is a circle.
