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ARCHAEOLOGICAL MYSTERIES
Archaeologists found a copper scroll listing hidden treasure in 64 locations in 1952. 7 decades later, the hoard's existence and whereabouts remain unresolved historical mysteriesDiscovered in 1952 in a cave at Qumran near the Dead Sea, the Copper Scroll stands apart from other Dead Sea Scrolls as it was inscribed on...
Amelia Earhart disappeared in 1937. Nearly a century later, why are scientists now investigating a possible clue beneath the water?A research team has reached Nikumaroro to investigate the Taraia Object, which may relate to Amelia Earhart's disappearance. They will empl...
In 1739, archaeologists uncovered a mysterious 12-sided Roman object; 287 years later, its true purpose remains unknownRoman dodecahedrons are mysterious 12-sided objects found in former Roman territories, yet their real purpose remains unknown. The first kn...
10,000 people combed Mongolia for Genghis Khan’s grave in a 30,000-hour search in 2010; 800 years later, it’s still missing - and a tiny tribe may hold the clueGenghis Khan’s grave: For 800 years, Genghis Khan's final resting place has remained a mystery, despite countless expeditions and tales. Ov...
One faded photograph could prove Egypt’s first female pharaoh ruled like a king 5,000 years ago — and rewrite early Egyptian historyResearchers believe a digitally enhanced photograph of hieroglyphics could clarify Queen Meretneith's role in ancient Egypt. Discovered in ...
In 1864, missionaries recorded Rapa Nui’s Rongorongo glyphs on wooden tablets. 162 years later, the writing system remains undeciphered despite generations of scholarly studyNew findings indicate that a wooden tablet inscribed with Rongorongo dates back to 1493 to 1509. This timeline suggests that the writing sy...
In 1884, a ship disappeared near Nantucket after a powerful winter storm. More than a century later, another major storm has brought part of the shipwreck back to the surfaceThe Warren Sawyer was a wooden schooner that ran aground near Nantucket in 1884 during a storm. Recent erosion from a nor’easter revealed p...
In 1889, archaeologists went looking for a 2,700-year-old tomb. 137 years later, its monumental burial chamber has emerged with gold, weapons and rare treasuresArchaeologists located an ancient Etruscan tomb at the Polledrara necropolis in Vulci, dating back to the seventh century B.C. The tomb, wh...
In 2009, unemployed Staffordshire man spent 5 days digging and found £3.2 million treasure: What was inside the largest Anglo-Saxon hoard ever found?In 2009, unemployed metal detectorist Terry Herbert spent five days searching an English field and uncovered a huge Anglo-Saxon treasure wo...
Poompuhar, a 2,000-year-old port city built by the Cholas was lost beneath the sea; new study finds ancient Tamils had trade links with Persian Gulf and IranPoompuhar: Underwater exploration at Poompuhar, a 2,000 year old Chola port city, has found over 200 potsherds and the first torpedo jars l...
A 2011 study analyzing satellite imagery in Jordan identified more than 1,000 giant stone "wheels"; field archaeology later showed some were prehistoric burial or ritual structuresA remarkable archaeological find has surfaced in Jordan's deserts, with the discovery of thousands of ancient stone structures known as whe...
An ancient Egyptian pot sat unnoticed in a Cornwall garage for years; when researchers examined it, its label helped solve a century-old archaeological mysteryAn ancient Egyptian pot discovered in a Cornwall garage has helped researchers connect a forgotten family possession with the archaeologica...
A melting glacier exposed a body in the Alps in 1991; 5,300 years after his death, scientists turned Ötzi into one of history's most studied humansOn September 19, 1991, German mountaineers Helmut and Erika Simon were hiking across the Tisenjoch ridge in the Ötztal Alps along the borde...
In 1908, Luigi Pernier found Crete’s Phaistos Disc with 241 stamped signs. 118 years later, its 45-symbol script remains undeciphered despite more than a century of studyThe Phaistos Disc is one of the most enigmatic artefacts associated with the Minoan civilization. Discovered by Italian archaeologist Luigi...
In 1941, China lost Peking Man fossils during wartime evacuation. 85 years later, the missing remains have not been recovered despite searches and historical investigationsIn 1941, China lost Peking Man fossils during wartime evacuation. 85 years later, the missing remains have not been recovered despite searc...
A Scottish schoolyard hid ancient Egyptian artifacts for decades; when archaeologists finally investigated, they uncovered objects dating back more than 2,500 yearsA Scottish schoolboy digging for potatoes in 1952 unexpectedly uncovered an ancient Egyptian statue head at Melville House in Fife. More di...
In 500 BCE, ancient people created vast animal and geometric figures in Peru's desert. 2,500 years later, the Nazca Lines remain one of archaeology's great enigmasNazca Lines archaeological mystery: Giant geoglyphs in Peru's arid plains have survived for over two millennia. These Nazca and Palpa Lines...
In 1901, divers recovered an ancient geared device from the Greek shipwreck. 125 years later, the Antikythera Mechanism is still revealing secrets about ancient sciencesIn 1901, divers searching a Greek shipwreck found something no one expected: a small, corroded machine packed with gears. It was the Antiky...
In 1587, John White left 117 colonists at Roanoke and sailed to England. 3 years later, he returned and found over 100 settlers vanished, leaving behind the mysterious word CROATOANJohn White returned to Roanoke Island in 1590 after a three-year absence. He found the settlement abandoned, with no signs of struggle or h...
In 1992, an English metal detectorist searched a field for a lost hammer; moments later, he uncovered a Roman hoard containing thousands of ancient objectsToday, the Hoxne Hoard remains one of Britain's most extraordinary Roman archaeological discoveries, and its unlikely origin continues to c...