12 Most Incredible Ancient Artifacts Finds

What sets apart an ordinary archaeological discovery from an extraordinary one? Is it its monetary worth, its ability to explain the secrets of the past, or perhaps something more intangible? It's hard to say for sure, but we do know that we can't help but feel awestruck when we come across an incredible archaeological find. In this video, we've compiled some of the most remarkable discoveries that we believe fit the bill.

What a Wild West Duel Really Looked Like

What were Wild West duels actually like? Today, we look at how common the “classic” quick-draw duel was. We also touch on rates of violence in Old West frontier towns and explain what kind of day-to-day violence most closely mirrored the Wild West gunfights we see in films and books. Enjoy!

Geopolymer or Natural Rocks? The Geological Truth of Sacsayhuaman, Peru

Situated next to Cusco in the Inca heartland of Peru, Sacsayhuaman is one of the most incredible ancient structures in the world. It’s truly mind-boggling how such enormous blocks of stones can be so randomly shaped yet so perfectly put together. The origins of the megalithic blocks of Sacsayhuaman, Peru, have long been a source of debate because it really feels like a genuine mystery.

These are large blocks of limestone, sometimes huge, most of which seem to pillow or bulge out instead of having straight, sharp cut faces. Some blocks seem to curve around corners, others have scoop marks on the surface and a number have the famous nubs. There are many other seemingly bizarre and unnatural features. Each block is irregular and each is unique yet the joints between these limestone blocks are perfect. So how is this even possible?

I’ve speculated in the past that maybe some kind of stone softening agent was applied, possibly some kind of acid. At the end of the day, we can stare at pictures and speculate forever; what we have to do is look at the science. I’ve always said that samples need to be taken and the geology needs to be analysed and that will tell us everything we need to know about Sacsayhuaman.

Well, little did I know that such investigative work was done back in 2012 and in this study and take a detailed look at the geology of the blocks of Sacsayhuaman and so, once and for all, we should be able to answer the question - are they artificial geopolymer or natural rocks? This video is the geological truth of Sacsayhuaman.

The 3 Strangest Borders on Earth

In the following video we will be talking about three specific border regions. Each of them are remarkably unique - but they also have a massive impact on the communities that live nearby.

Where is the Tomb of Jesus?

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, is one of the holiest sites for most Christians worldwide. It is believed to house the site of Jesus's crucifixion and burial. But what can archaeology tell us about the church and its surrounding area? Is it a plausible location for the Tomb of Jesus?

Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Egypt: Exploring the Most Famous Temples

In this enthralling video, we embark on a journey to explore the most famous temples in Egypt, home to some of the most unique and incredible structures in the world. From the majestic Temple of Karnak and the hidden secrets of the Temple of Seti I, to the incredible "light box" in the Temple of Hathor, and the mysterious "hidden library" in the Temple of Edfu, we will uncover the amazing stories and secrets that these ancient temples hold. Join us on an adventure through Egypt's past to discover the engineering feats, religious beliefs and cultural richness of these remarkable temples that have stood the test of time. If you're interested in learning more about Egypt's ancient history and the amazing people that built these temples, then this video is definitely for you!

What Montezuma's Aztec Sounded Like - and how we know

The Aztecs didn't call him Montezuma. Nor Moctezuma. They didn't call chocolate "chocolate". Heck, they didn't even call themselves Aztec! Though they were an oral culture, we have an idea of what their language really sounded like. Here's why.

A tomb filled with preserved cats, mice, and other creatures is found in Egypt

The latest find, a preserved double gravesite comprising the bones of a man, his wife, and mummified animals, including cats and mice, was made public by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.

Egypt discovers a new tomb with a perfectly preserved colored walls and dozens of mummified animals.

The discovery, which was made public on Friday, is thought to date back more than 2,000 years to the Ptolemaic period. About four kilometers from Sohag, in the city of Akhmim, was where the tomb was discovered.

According to Dr. Mustafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, "it's one of the most exciting discoveries ever in the area."

The tomb is made of two rooms covered in colored pictures and inscriptions.

The finding of 50 animals and a human mummy was the most impressive. In the tomb, mummified versions of eagles, falcons, ibex, cats, and mice were discovered.

The ministry claims that after a gang was apprehended trying to smuggle antiquities out of the side of a hill, the entrance to the burial ground was found. The site was given to Waziri and his group for archaeological excavation following an examination.

Archeologists found about 50 mummified animals in the tomb, including cats and mice.

The grave is thought to be that of TuTu, a high-ranking official, and his wife T-Cheret Isis. The names of the deceased's family members are written in inscriptions that have been perfectly preserved on the walls. The two-room tomb's vibrant colors have been astonishingly preserved.

The discovery of two limestone jars containing human remains and a collection of stuffed animals during excavations, according to the ministry, shows that the tomb was reused at a later time.

One preserved human mummy was also found in the tomb.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/04/06/world/e...

Illinois is home to the largest ancient city you've probably never heard of

A fascinating, old anthropological site is located only across a river from St. Louis, Missouri, yet few Americans are aware of it. Even today, researchers debate the reasons that Cahokia, a vast settlement that may have housed 20,000 people by the year 1050 A.D., may have perished. The largest of the towering, hand-built clay mounds, which still stand at the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, once made up the metropolis, which is located in the lush floodplain of the Mississippi River Valley that is now western Illinois. Even while there are still many unanswered questions about this ancient society, including why it vanished, the existence of the city's ruins has allowed experts to create a picture of its heyday.

The people of Cahokia built their mounds by hand, but for reason?

This site contains ancient teeth that may have belonged to a variety of Indigenous people. According to the different levels of strontium in the tooth fragments, around a third of the population arrived in Cahokia from other places in middle America. The architecture in Cahokia is also interesting since it suggests that this city had some degree of urban planning and wasn't merely a collection of villages. The kings lived atop mounds, overlooking the homes of the other occupants. In this enormous city, farming, hunting, logging, pottery making, and weaving were all done.

The city's core was located in the middle of Cahokia, encircling the largest mound, which stood about 100 feet tall and was surrounded by a substantial timber wall. The region was home to a plaza with four corners designating the cardinal directions, which archaeologists think was influenced by the founders' conception of the cosmos at the time. According to researchers, religious activities and festivities were held in this town center and in the structures atop the main mound. It's also conceivable that individuals came to Cahokia from elsewhere especially to attend these events.

A few explanations have been put up regarding the reason Cahokia fell, however the supporting data is contradictory. For a long, it was thought that because the locals relied on wood for their structures, the area had been overly deforested and was therefore less fruitful. However, soil tests reveal that the area would have continued to be productive soon after Cahokia's destruction. Disease was an improbable catastrophe as well because colonists did not arrive in this area until a very long time later. Some academics think that fighting with nearby tribes may have contributed to Cahokia's demise.

The mounds are currently part of a city park and a state historic site, but they are also being considered for national park status. At Cahokia, there are more than 65 preserved mounds, including the tallest mound that is still standing, whose steps visitors can climb. It's one of the few locations in the US where people are free to stroll through a city that dates back thousands of years.

Source: https://www.popsci.com/science/cahokia-mou...

3,000 years ago, people in ancient Europe used hallucinogens.

According to a recent article published in the journal Scientific Reports, hair strands from the Bronze Age of Europe provided the first concrete evidence of drug use stretching back 3,000 years.

The hair strands were found inside decorative tubes.

The hair contains psychoactive alkaloids, which can cause altered states of consciousness and are naturally present in some plants. Archaeologists speculate that prehistoric people may have consumed them during ceremonial rituals.

The hair was found in a cave on the Spanish island of Menorca, which is located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of mainland Spain. According to the experts, humans originally lived in the cave known as Es Càrritx some 3,600 years ago.

In 1995, spelunkers discovered Es Càrritx. When archaeologists began excavating the site, they found the bones of about 210 people as well as sealed, ornamental vessels filled with red-dyed hair strands.

Inside the Es Càrritx cave

The hairs were thoroughly examined by scientists using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectroscopy. Two alkaloid chemicals that can lead to hallucinations, delirium, and altered sensory perceptions were discovered: atropine and scopolamine. Ephedrine, a stimulant that can heighten alertness and excitement, was also found by them.

Some plants, such as mandrake, henbane, horn apple, and joint pine, were probably eaten by our Bronze Age ancestors to get those components. Scientists came to the conclusion that these people had been taking the medications for at least a year.

An artist's interpretation of the hair-dyeing ritual inside the cave

The research speculates that shamans may have utilized the chemicals while conducting religious rituals, but it is unclear why these populations were taking them. The pots that held the hair were painted with concentric circles, which the experts suggest could have symbolized the “inner vision” received by swallowing the plants.

As independent ethnobotanist Giorgio Samorini tells Andrew Jacobs of the New York Times, "This was not a profane purpose of'searching for a high,' but rather the search for existential meaning that has been largely lost to time."

Some of the hair strands found inside the cave

Drugs that change consciousness are "usually invisible in the archaeological record," according to the researchers, but their usage "used to be inferred from indirect evidence," such residue on pottery. However, the hairs offer the first concrete evidence of drug use among Europeans.

There aren't many hairs left from this time and place. We are very, very lucky, says study co-author Elisa Guerra Doce, a prehistorian at the University of Valladolid, to Tom Metcalfe of National Geographic.

Source: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/...

Discoveries That Can't Be Explained

From mysterious crocodile heads to aliens in Bermuda, in the following video we will be exploring discoveries that can’t really be explained. Watch the video to find out more!

The Legend of the Lost City of Caesars - The Mystery Land of Patagonia

Legend has it that the City of Caesars, otherwise known as the Wandering City, once existed in Patagonia, nestled between contemporary Chile and Argentina. Despite rumors and reports having circulated for about 200 years, and expeditions sent to try to track it down, no concrete evidence of its existence was ever uncovered.

Stories surrounding the mythical City of Caesars echo tales of other fabled lost cities which have enthralled and enchanted generations of dreamers and explorers, especially during the era of European colonization. Much like Plato’s famously fabled Atlantis, tantalizing tall tales of long-forgotten cities brimming with treasure have captured the imagination of fortune-seeking adventurers, inspiring many to embark on perilous journeys into the vast expanse of South America.

Even today, legends of El Dorado, the lost city of gold in Colombia, continue to inspire treasure hunters looking for the gold of the mythical king of the Muisca people.

Tools for bleeding cows uncovered in 7,000-year-old cemetery in Sudan

During excavations in the Letti basin in northern Sudan, archaeologists have unearthed 7,000-year-old bone tools used to bleed cows. Explorers believe this may be the earliest evidence of such a practice.

7,000-year-old burials were discovered during the excavation of a cemetery in the Letti Basin, including the remains of an elderly man and animal skin fragments that had been dyed red by the mineral ochre. The burials belonged to some of the region’s first cattle breeders.

Along with five bone blades probably made from cattle bones, the burial pit also contained a small bowl with ochre traces. The bone blades had a funnel-like or gutter-like shape and were still razor-sharp, as revealed by a closer inspection.

The tools immediately drew the attention of researchers, Piotr Osypiński, one of the excavations’ lead archaeologists, told Science in Poland.

The 3.800-Year-old Mummy Miss Lolan, whose beauty remains intact

Miss Lolan, who lived 3800 years ago, is located in a huge desert in northern Tibet. What makes this mummy, which is immediately noticed among the 200 mummies found, special is that it has received very little damage compared to many other mummies and its deformation is almost zero. Imagine a mummy with even hair and eyelashes in place.

Research to date has found many mummies, and nearly every one of them was in the same condition.

After all, we are talking about mummies that are thousands of years old and it is not right to expect such a visual appearance.

Even so, this mummy, found in the middle of a desert in northern Tibet, was unlike any mummy found before.

A total of 200 mummies were found by Chinese archaeologists from a tomb in the Tarim Basin.