Do you believe that there are things in the world that can’t be explained? Ancient sites from around the world have been a source of interest and speculation for centuries. What’s more, they pose fascinating questions about past civilizations, miracles, and even contact with other life forms (err I’m not an alien anorak, honest…) Some of the most famous have been adequately explained, but others haven’t. Here is my run down of the top four mysterious landmarks and archaeological finds from around the world.
As a kid I was a huge fan of invisible-ink pens, ghost stories and ancient Egypt. The idea of something secret and mysterious just always appealed to me…
Nazca Lines, Peru
Palpa Figures at the Nazca Lines
Created by the Nazca civilization between 400 and 650 AD, these ancient geoglyphs are carved into the landscape of southern Peru (see above picture).
The hundreds of images represent geometric shapes and animals, and can only be seen from above. The largest is a staggering 200m across!
The exact purpose of the lines is still quite uncertain.
Scholars speculate that they are a calendar of some sort, indicate water flow, or represent symbols for the gods to see from above.
There is no clear answer as to what the symbols represent. The so called ‘astronaut’ shown in the first picture here is a prime example of this.
It’s unsurprising that he’s caught the attention of so many alien enthusiasts!
But how were the lines so accurately created?
Some experts have asserted that the Nazca people would have needed air craft to design the figures so precisely.
But surely there was no such technology at the time?
The Statues of St Augustine, Colombia
The Statues of St Augustine
Virtually nothing is known of the civilization who crafted the hundreds of unique statues that can be found in the Valley of the Statues close to St Augustine, Colombia.
It is known that the earliest statues date back to 3,300 BC but everything else is speculation.
Gods, mythical animals and men are represented.
One of the most famous statues, pictured here, appears to be wearing some kind of head gear and a ‘back pack’ with straps.
Other statues seem to represent animals from Africa, people from Asia and complex medical procedures such as C-sections.
But still, we don’t know who this phenomenally advanced civilization was… Maybe more of their secrets and treasures will be uncovered with further excavation?
The Crystal Skulls of Mesoamerica
The Crystal Skulls of Mesoamerica
The origin of these hand-crafted, crystal skulls has been hotly debated for decades.
Granted, there are now hundreds of replicas of these objects, contemporary and no doubt made recently in Brazil.
However, there are twelve or so in private collections that are said to have been excavated on archaeological digs in Mexico and Central America.
Despite claims that these skulls are fake, there is no way of dating them, and no one knows who made them, where or how.
Anybody out there got the answer?
Stonehenge England
Stonehenge, England
Constructed sometime around 3,100 BC, Stonehenge is an ancient stone circle with enduringly mysterious qualities.
Based on the technology available at the time, it is thought that thirty million hours of man-power would have been necessary for construction.
But what was it built for?
Site of human sacrifice?
Calendar?
Nobody knows.
But we do know the massive stones were brought all the way from South Wales to Wiltshire.
How!?
There are theories, but the mystery goes on…
Does anybody have the answer?
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Many ancient ocean faring maps have the symptoms of random straight lines attracted in it that don’t seem like normal Lat. & Lengthy. lines of present day maps. What’s the reason for origin of those “odd” lines do them radiate from or for the Nazca plain?
Recently I read a book by Dan Brown “The Lost Symbol”. It was very interesting and I came to know many things about ancient mysteries. This article has thrown more light on ancient mysteries. Thanks for an interesting article!!
Now case from self interest. I am attending college the coming year and thought, ‘well since unsolved mysteries interest us a lot it may be productive to my hobby to review a couple of related models that helped me to better understand and speculate about them’. Mysteries such as the Bermuda Triangular, Mary Celeste, dissappearance of this Crabb diver guy, UFOs, Nazca Lines, Tutenkhaman, faces of Jesus on the ground etc.
amusing solutions…
I’ll be visiting Peru shortly and wondered how you can fit the Nazca Lines into my itinerary. The trainer told us the only method was an 8 hour bus ride from Lima by having an overnight in Nazca – I might not have lots of time to do that. Can there be every other method of seeing the Nazca Lines or perhaps is this your best option?
The plot, close to I recall, began when 2 teen men overheard a note on their own pork radio that they investigate and encounter a Tyrannosaurus Rex, then get together with aliens taking them as much as demonstrate to them the Nazca lines and explain them. Any info could be greatly appreciated gang.