20 Great Mysteries of the Ancient World Likely to be solved in 2024

The pyramids of Giza, built during the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, 2580-2560 BCE, continue to be one of the greatest architectural enigmas in history. These monumental structures, particularly the Great Pyramid of Khufu, were constructed with such mathematical precision that they have spawned a multitude of theories. Traditional Egyptology suggests they were built using a combination of lever systems, ramps, and a vast workforce of skilled labourers and slaves. Contrary to popular myths, there is little evidence to support theories of alien involvement or lost advanced technologies. Instead, recent discoveries like the Papyrus Diary of Mira, an overseer of a pyramid-building team, provide insights into the logistics and organisation behind the construction, emphasising human ingenuity and resourcefulness. The lost city of Atlantis Atlantis, as described by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato in his According to Plato, it was a technologically advanced and morally sophisticated civilisation that eventually fell out of favour with the gods and sank into the ocean. While most scholars regard Atlantis as a myth or allegory, its story has inspired numerous theories about its possible existence and location, ranging from the Mediterranean to the Americas. Despite extensive explorations and speculations, there is no empirical evidence to confirm Atlantis as a historical reality, making it one of the most enduring legends of the ancient world. Stonehenge, England Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, dating from around 3000 BCE. Its construction involved multiple phases and the transportation of massive stones, some sourced from miles away. The exact purpose of Stonehenge remains a mystery, with theories ranging from it being an astronomical observatory, a religious pilgrimage site, to a place of healing. Its alignment with the solstices suggests a connection to celestial events. The construction methods used for Stonehenge, such as the creation of the sarsen stone circles, are a testament to the ingenuity of Neolithic societies. The Nazca Lines, Peru The Nazca Lines are a series of large ancient geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. Created between 500 BCE and 500 CE, these figures range from simple lines to complex zoomorphic and geometric shapes. Their purpose remains unclear, with theories including astronomical markers, religious rituals or even landing strips for alien spacecraft, a theory popularized by Erich von Däniken. However, most researchers believe they had cultural and religious significance to the Nazca people. The lines were made by removing the reddish-brown iron oxide-coated pebbles that cover the surface of the Nazca Desert, and revealing the light-colored earth underneath. The Antikythera Mechanism The Antikythera Mechanism, discovered in a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera in 1901, is an ancient Greek analog computer used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses. Dated to around 100 BCE, it is a complex assembly of gears and displays, an advanced understanding of mechanics and astronomy. Its sophistication has challenged our understanding of ancient Greek technology, suggesting that ancient civilizations possessed far more advanced scientific knowledge than previously assumed. The exact use of the mechanism, whether for navigation, teaching or other purposes, remains a subject of research and debate. The Lost Legion of Roman Soldiers The fate of the Ninth Legion, a Roman legion that supposedly disappeared in Britain in the early 2nd century CE, remains a historical mystery. Theories about their disappearance range from being annihilated in battle against northern tribes, to being withdrawn and redeployed elsewhere, possibly in the Middle East. Despite extensive historical and archaeological research, there is no conclusive evidence about the fate of this legion, leading to speculation and legends, including their assimilation into local populations or a catastrophic defeat. The Voynich Manuscript The Voynich Manuscript is an illustrated codex, handwritten in an unknown writing system, possibly dating to the 15th century. The manuscript is named after Wilfrid Voynich, a Polish book dealer who acquired it in 1912. It is composed of vellum pages and its contents are divided into several sections, including herbal, astronomical and biological, filled with illustrations and diagrams. The language and purpose of the manuscript are still unknown, leading to numerous theories ranging from a sophisticated code or hoax, to an undiscovered natural language. The Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, China The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, who died in 210 BCE, is believed to have been buried in a complex tomb guarded by the famous Terracotta Army. According to ancient texts, the tomb itself is a microcosm of his empire and is rumored to contain rivers of mercury and an array of traps to deter tomb robbers. Despite its discovery, the main burial chamber has not been excavated due to concerns about The Moai of Easter Island The Moai are massive stone statues on Easter Island, Rapa Nui, created by the Rapa Nui people. They are believed to have been carved between 1250 and 1500 CE. These statues, some weighing over 80 tons, are a mystery in terms of how they were transported and erected. The most widely accepted theory involves the use of wooden rollers or sledges and ropes. As to their purpose, they are thought to represent the ancestors or chiefs of the Rapa Nui people, playing a role in their ancestor worship practices. The Curse of the Pharaohs The alleged Curse of the Pharaohs is a supposed curse believed by some to be cast upon anyone who disturbs the mummy of an ancient Egyptian person, particularly a pharaoh. This curse, which does not differentiate between thieves and archaeologists, supposedly causes bad luck, illness or death. The myth became popularized after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 and the subsequent deaths of some members of the excavation team. However, scientific analysis has shown that the rate of death among those who entered the tomb is not significantly different from those who did not, suggesting that the curse is more a product of media sensationalism and public fascination than reality. The Disappearance of the Minoan Civilization The Minoan civilization, centered on the island of Crete, was a Bronze Age civilization that flourished from approximately 2700 to 1450 BCE. Its sudden decline and eventual disappearance have been subjects of interest and speculation. Theories for the civilization's demise include a catastrophic volcanic eruption on the nearby island of Thera, Santorini, which could have caused a tsunami and climate changes, as well as internal societal collapse or invasion by Mycenaean Greeks. The Minoans are known for their advanced art, architecture, and a possible early form of writing, Linear A, none of which have been fully deciphered or understood. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, are described as an extraordinary feat of engineering, with an ascending series of tiered gardens. Their existence and actual location, however, remain subjects of debate. Some ancient writers, including Strabo and Philo of Byzantium, described the gardens in detail. But the lack of definitive archaeological evidence in Babylon, modern-day Iraq, and discrepancies in ancient texts, have led some scholars to propose they were mythical or located in a different place, such as Nineveh. If they did exist, the gardens would have represented a remarkable example of ancient engineering and gardening techniques. The Ark of the Covenant The Ark of the Covenant is a gold-covered wooden chest described in the Hebrew Bible as containing the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. According to various texts, it was constructed at the command of God and played a central role in ancient Hebrew religious practices. The fate of the Ark is unknown, leading to a myriad of theories and legends about its current location, including theories that it was hidden or destroyed. The search for the Ark has captured the imagination of explorers and the public for centuries, becoming a symbol of the quest for lost religious artefacts. The Bermuda Triangle The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a loosely defined region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, where numerous aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Popular culture has attributed these disappearances to paranormal or extraterrestrial activity. However, the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names do not recognize the Bermuda Triangle as an official region. Most scientists dismiss the idea that there is any mystery attributing incidents to environmental factors, human error, and even deliberate acts of destruction. The Terracotta Army, China The Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It's a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210-209 BCE, intended to protect him in the afterlife. The figures, dating from approximately the late 3rd century BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. The question of how such a large number of statues could have been crafted with such detail and individuality in that period remains a subject of study and admiration. The discovery of the Terracotta Army has provided valuable insights into China's ancient artistic techniques and military organization. Rongorongo, Easter Island Rongorongo is a system of glyphs found on various artifacts on Easter Island. It represents one of the few instances of an undeciphered script in the world. The glyphs are primarily composed of human, animal, and geometric shapes and are thought to have been used as a form of writing or proto-writing. The exact purpose and meaning of the Rongorongo inscriptions remain a mystery, and it's unclear whether they represent a language or some other form of symbolic communication. The disappearance of the Rongorongo language and the societal collapse of the Rapa Nui civilization The Copper Scroll Treasure The Copper Scroll is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the vicinity of Kherbet Qumran in the Judean desert of the West Bank. Unlike the other scrolls, which are religious texts, the Copper Scroll is a list of 64 locations where significant amounts of gold and silver are said to be hidden. The origins, authenticity, and purpose of the Copper Scroll have been subjects of intense debate. Some believe it to be a treasure map leading to the hidden wealth of the Second Temple, while others consider it a fictional account. The fact that none of the listed treasures have been found adds to the mystery. The Saqsaywaman Walls, Peru Saqsaywaman is a ceremonial complex near the old city of Cusco, Peru, known for its remarkable dry stone walls constructed with huge stones cut and fitted together with great precision without mortar. The exact method used to transport and meticulously place these enormous stones remains a topic of debate, with some suggesting the use of advanced, unknown ancient technology or knowledge. The walls symbolize the architectural ingenuity of the Inca civilization and provide insight into their social, religious, and military practices. The mystery of El Dorado, El Dorado, originally a term used for a mythical tribal chief of the Muisca people who covered himself with gold dust, later became synonymous with a lost city of gold, sought after by numerous explorers and adventurers. The legend of El Dorado was prevalent during the 16th and 17th centuries, driving many exploratory expeditions in South America. Despite extensive searches, no evidence of such a city has been found. The myth of El Dorado has endured, symbolizing the ultimate treasure hunt and the human propensity for seeking wealth and adventure. The Library of Alexandria The Library of Alexandria in ancient Egypt was one of the largest and most significant libraries of the ancient world. Founded by Ptolemy von Sota during the Hellenistic period, it was said to house thousands of scrolls and works from across the known world. The circumstances of its destruction remain a subject of debate and speculation, with incidents such as Julius Caesar's fire during the siege of Alexandria and religious conflicts being proposed as possible causes. The loss of the library is often mourned as one of the greatest losses of cultural and scholarly knowledge in history.