The mountains can be extremely peaceful or extremely treacherous! It all depends on how prepared you are to explore them! Yes, mountains have been the stuff of legends for tens of thousands of years, and we’re still uncovering their ancient secrets to this day! Who knows what we might find next? From mysterious portals to another world, to secret chambers only the government has access to, these are the 20 Mysterious Things People Found in the Mountains!
New Species Discovered: Australia's Giant Raptor (Dynatoaetus gaffae)
In the 1950s and 1960s fossils of some type of large bird were discovered in a cave in southeast Australia. At the time there was not enough material to say much more then that. But now this nearly 70 year old cold case has been reopened with the discovery of more fossils in 2021. And this discovery adds another apex predator to the Pleistocene Australian landscape.
Joining the ranks of such killers as Megalania, Thylacoleo, Quinkana and the Saltwater Crocodile, Dynatoaetus gaffae is the largest flying bird that ever lived in the land down under. Sporting a 10 foot wingspan and massive talons, it not only was a top predator but it's existence may explain the evolution of another large predatory bird that came to evolve on another southern landmass.
Unlocking the Secrets of Mythical Cities: The Epic Quest to Unearth Three Ancient Wonders
Unlocking the Secrets of Mythical Cities explores the mysteries and legends surrounding some of the ancient world's most iconic cities, including Angkor Wat, Troy, etc. It displays a journey through these cities' history, culture, and architecture, as well as the modern-day challenges of uncovering their secrets. Through interviews with experts and stunning footage of the ruins, it captures the past and the people who inhabited these mythical cities.
For centuries, tales of mythical cities have captivated our imaginations - from the lost city of Atlantis to the hidden kingdom of Shambhala. But what if these stories weren't just myths?
Today we’ll uncover the mysteries of the past and explore the untold stories of three of history's greatest cities.
10 Stunning Stone Carvings and Reliefs from Antiquity
We have felt the need to express our creative side ever since the beginning of human history. Our art has always been a reflection of society and the various civilizations we live in, from the oldest surviving rock art and stone carvings to the exquisite sculptures and paintings we can create today.
Ancient reliefs and carvings, which are among the most resilient types of artwork, can still be seen in places of worship, tombs, and castles. The majority of the carvings and reliefs on this list can be found at UNESCO World Heritage sites and are considered to be important pieces of human history.
10 Arsameia, Mount Nemrut, Turkey
You may see the oldest relief carving of two individuals shaking hands at the Arsameia ruins in Turkey. King Mithridates, the father of Antiochus I of Commagene, is depicted shaking Hercules' hand in the fabled eleven-foot (3.5m) relief. Its creation is dated between 70 and 38 B.C. and is still beautiful to see now.
9 Dazu Rock Carvings, China
As the most sophisticated and exquisite of their time, the delicate carvings on the stone cliffs of Dazu are highly regarded. The fact that they were produced between the ninth and the twelfth centuries AD is a resounding testament to the harmonic and congenial blending of religion, philosophy, and culture that China underwent at this time.
They stand out from the larger carvings found at many other national parks because of how well-preserved they are. More than 50,000 sculptures and 100,000 engravings and etchings, ranging in size from tiny to massive, can be viewed in the sunlight, all of which are connected by well-maintained trails and corridors.
8 Elephanta Caves, Gharapuri Island, India
One of India's seven wonders is the cave temple on the island of Gharapuri. It was sculpted out of the surrounding topography in the fifth century and now houses stunningly exquisite carvings and statues that represent the pinnacle of Indian art. Numerous Hindu deities are portrayed on the panels in carvings together with their attendants.
The Trimurti is shown in the most significant and outstanding sculpture. The three-headed Shiva is depicted in this twenty-foot-long relief carving near the cave's back. You must travel from the Indian mainland to the island, climb the mountain, and navigate the caves in order to get to the temple.
7 Kom el Shoqafa, Alexandria, Egypt
Greek, Roman, and Egyptian elements can be seen in the tombs, sculptures, and other archaeological objects found in the catacombs of Alexandria. The catacombs were carved in the second century and used as a cemetery until the fourth century. After that, they were abandoned until 1900, when they were rediscovered.
The most exquisitely carved reliefs and carvings may be found within the main tomb and at the temple's entrance; they depict many gods and deities as well as Egyptian rituals. The main tomb's relief carving, which shows the shield of Athena with Medusa's head on it, makes the Greek influence more obvious.
6 Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The largest religious structure in the entire globe is the temple at Angkor Wat. Every year, more than a million people travel there attracted by its allure. It was constructed in the twelfth century, and in addition to its enormous size, it is recognized for the incredible complexity of the reliefs and the variety of devatas (minor female deities) that cover the temple walls.
In reality, the temple's pillars, lintels, and roofs were all intricately carved by hundreds of artists. The huge reliefs, which cover miles of wall space, are mostly scenes from the old Hindu epics.
5 Apadana Palace, Persepolis, Iran
The palace, which Darius the Great built around 515 B.C., must have been a sight to behold. The roof was supported by large columns, 13 of which were still surviving by the 20th century. Rows of reliefs that depicted successions of delegations, soldiers, guards, and chariots hauling gifts and offerings for the king decorated the staircases. The Immortals of 300 Fame, the noble guard of the Persian Kings, were etched onto the palace's front walls.
4 Toranas, Sanchi, India
A small village in India called Sanchi is well-known for its stupas, or Buddhist monuments. The "Great Stupa," built in the third century B.C., is the most notable of these. The Toranas, which were carefully positioned around the Great Stupa, are Sanchi's most amazing relief and stone carvings. These have life cycle scenes of the Buddha etched into them. None of the Toranas were spared, and one even had a sculpture of Yakshini supporting a trestle architrave.
3 Mahabalipuram, India
Between the seventh and ninth centuries A.D., a number of memorials were constructed in and around the town of Mahabalipuram; today, four of them are designated as World Heritage sites. The "Descent of the Ganges" or "Arjuna's Penance" was carved out of monolithic rock and is known throughout the globe as the largest remaining open-air relief. It is ninety-six feet (29m) long by forty-three feet (13m) high.
There are two distinct yet complementary interpretations of the symbolism of the artwork. To the left of the temple, either Arjuna or Shiva appear, while to the right, life-size elephants protect their young beneath a legion of creatures that are all flawlessly suspended for eons to come.
2 Taq-e Bostan, Iran
In the Zagros Mountains, near the ancient caravan path of the Silk Road, are the Taq-e Bostan sculptures. The Sassanid Dynasty ruled from A.D. 226 and A.D. 650, when the magnificent and immaculately preserved artworks were produced. Every traveler would have seen the site's grandeur thanks to its ideal location close to a historic waypoint and campground; splendor that has stayed virtually unaltered for the past 1700 years. Two exquisite arches that show crowning rituals, hunting scenes, and diverse Sassanid patterns are among the artworks. An neighboring body of water that receives its water supply from a holy spring reflects the grandeur of the mountain's carvings in its own splendor.
1 Leshan Giant Buddha, China
Around A.D. 713, the Sichuan province's rock face yielded the largest stone Buddha ever created. A monk started the project in the hopes that the Buddha's presence would calm the turbulent river. According to legend, the river's currents were altered as a result of the large amount of stone that was dumped there during construction, making the water safer for passing ships. The artwork was designed with an amazing drainage system that is still functional today, protecting it from water run-off.
Solving The Mystery Of Stonehenge With Dan Snow
In this video Dan Snow explores one of the most recognisable and mysterious historic sites on Earth - Stonehenge in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Released shortly after the origin mystery of the sarsen stones was solved, this documentary takes an in-depth look at what we know, and what we still have to discover, about this iconic Neolithic monument.
15 Most Isolated Places On The Planet Where It Is Impossible To Go
In the following video we will analyze the 15 most isolated places on the planet where it is impossible to go. Watch the video to find out more!
Goddess Hespera: The Nymph Goddess of Greek Mythology
In the following video we will be talking about the goddess Hespera, one of the nymph goddess of greek myhtology, whose name means ‘Light of Evening’, a reference to the setting sun. Enjoy!
The Complete History Of Indigenous America Before Colonialism | 1491
These are the origins of ancient Indigenous societies in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. This series tells us about indigenous peoples of the Americas before European colonialism. Each episode shows us a particular subject. We learn about their art, food, architecture, archaeology, government, science and technology etc.
What if the Mongols Invaded Western Europe?
In our scenario, Ogedei Khan doesn't die in 1241, which allows the Mongols to retain their unity and continue their incursions into Europe and Middle East. In 1245, the Mongols under the leadership of Batu Khan invade central Europe leading to the intense battles in medieval Bohemia. At the battle of Olomouc in 1246, the allied armies of the Holy Roman Empire attempted to stop the Mongol invasion.
The defeat here didn't stop the Mongols who were now full of wrath. And although the Europeans were now preparing a Crusade, this wrath will bring them to Bohemia and the siege of Prague will make things even worse. At the same time, a group of Mongols led by Batu Khan moved south to attack Italy and sacked Rome. To the north the armies of Subotai and Kadan were invading Germany and moving towards France, leading to the battles of Lubeck and Fulda Gap against the alliance created by Emperor Wenceslaus and King of France Louis IX.
5 Unexplained Artifacts Left by Ancient Giants
Due to a host of incredible archeological discoveries about its former inhabitants, the Italian island of Sardinia has been referred to by many as the Land of the Giants…
In March 1974, a local farmer was plowing his fields on the island's western coast when he stumbled across a large statue fragment that would lead to eight years of archeological excavations and investigations.
In all, archeologists recovered more than 5,000 pieces of carved sandstone. They set about reconstructing the pieces and soon realized that they were assembling an army of stone, as these statues were representing boxers, archers, and warriors.
Up to 44 individual statues have been found. However, most astounding is not their numbers, nor the identity of their creators, but their sheer scale.
These stone giants measure up to 2.5 meters in height, and some weigh up to 400 kilograms in their fully reassembled form.
Equally impressive is their anatomical precision - despite being more than 8 feet tall, the geometric details, particularly of the faces, have been meticulously carved. The eyes, for instance, consist of perfect concentric circles, which has led many to describe them as ‘alien’ in appearance.
It has been determined that the giants are carved from local sandstone and that they likely date back to around 3,000 years ago. Many have claimed that the discovery of these stone giants - known as the Giants of Mont’e Prama - lends weight to theories of ancient astronauts and alien intervention.
5 Huge Ancient Artifacts Found with Google Earth
In 2007, economist and amateur archaeologist Dimitriy Dey was searching Google Earth's satellite images for pyramids or similar configurations in Kazakhstan when he spotted something that continues to baffle archaeologists.
Visible only from above, Dey discovered a set of huge mysterious geoglyphs, colossal earthworks, made up of at least 260 mounds, trenches, and ramparts arranged in five basic shapes.
One of the most prominent structures and the first that Dey found was the Ushtogay Square which measured almost 250,000 meters in area. It was made up of dots and crisscrossed by a dotted X.
At first, Dey thought the earthen formation might be a leftover Soviet installation, perhaps a part of one of Nikita Khrushchev’s experiments to cultivate land for bread production. However, after continuing his investigation the next day, he came across a second gigantic figure, a three-legged form.
Before the year was over, Dey had found eight more squares, circles, and crosses, hinting at mysterious origins.
The earthen constructions were found in the Turgay Trough area of Turgay in northern Kazakhstan, and archaeologists have estimated that they were created about 8,000 years ago. Still, people have yet to learn who built them or why.
The only humans living in this region of Kazakhstan during the time were nomadic Stone Age tribes from the Mahandzhar culture. The tribes flourished in Kazakhstan from 7,000 BC to 5,000 BC; however, they were nomadic by nature. Therefore, scientists don’t believe they would have stayed in place for the time required to build the structures.
The geoglyphs are so large that they cannot be adequately seen from the ground, and their creators would have been considering how they looked from the air. There is no clear indication of whether the structures were created for art, communication, or perhaps some sort of ritual...
Listen to This 2000-Year-Old War Horn Used to Terrify Opposing Armies
The haunting sound of the carnyx echoes through the ages, a window into the world of the ancient Celts. This bronze wind instrument, dating back approximately 2,000 years, was an integral part of Celtic culture, used in both wartime and peaceful settings. The word "carnyx" is derived from the Gaulish language and means "antler" or "horn," an apt name given the instrument's distinctive appearance.
The carnyx is a striking instrument, with its elongated, S-shaped form designed to be held vertically. The opening of the carnyx was typically fashioned in the shape of an animal's roaring mouth, often that of a boar or other fierce creature. The height of the carnyx was impressive, standing as tall as its player, usually around 1.8 meters or nearly 6 feet. This unique shape allowed the carnyx's sound to carry over large crowds, or even armies, making it an ideal instrument for intimidating foes and communicating messages over great distances.
The animal symbolism in the carnyx's design is a fascinating aspect of its history. Historians and archaeologists believe the Iron Age Celts used animal imagery to represent ferocity and aggression. The carnyx's roaring mouth, shaped like that of a wild boar, was a powerful representation of the Celtic warrior spirit. Other examples of animal imagery used in this way include shields adorned with engravings of boars and sword scabbards with dragons etched into them.
Although a limited number of carnyces have been discovered, the question of how they sounded has long intrigued historians and musicologists. While it's impossible to know for certain, scholars have attempted to recreate the carnyx's sound based on the surviving examples.
What Jesus Said Before Dying Will Leave You Speechless
In the following video we will investigate what Jesus said just before dying. Watch the video to find out!
12 Most Amazing Ancient Artifacts Finds
In the video below we will be exploring the 12 most amazing ancient artifacts finds. Watch the video and enjoy!
Gorilla VS Gigantopithecus - The only primate that could have defeated a gorilla
In the following video we will be explaining the differences between a gorilla and gigantopithecus, which is the only primate that could have defeated a gorilla. Watch the video to find out more!
Scientists Shocking New Discovery Under Antarctica's Ice
The Earth is filled with hidden mysteries that humanity have just touched the surface of, one of which is the frozen country of Antarctica, but what happens after all the ice melts what type of secrets do the Sub-Zero areas of Antarctica possess the Region's freezing and harsh circumstances have keptFrom incredible creatures to never-before-seen phenomena, everything we've discovered so far has been a combination of fascinating and terrifying. Antarctica is a land full of possibilities, and all you need to do is look beneath all the frozen water. Join us today as we take a look beneath all the froze.
10 Mysteries About The Ancient Sumerians That Can't Be Explained
In the following video we will analyze 10 mysteries about the ancient Sumerians that can’t be explained. Watch the video to find out more!
The Golden Age of Medieval China: A Complete Overview
In this video we will be going through the Golden Age of medieval China, that begins after the fall of the Han, through the Sui, Tang, Song, touching on the politics, economics, and social structures of the time, and onto the rise of the Mongol Empire, focusing on the Yuan Dynasty, and finally the Early Ming. The video ends going over the new religious developments, like Neo-Confucianism, and the artistic culture during this time.
What JUST Happened With The Jordan River TERRIFIES Scientists!
"HE'S COMING BACK" - A phrase that sends chills down the spine of many. But what if I told you that scientists have made terrifying new discoveries at the Jordan River that defy all logic? Yes, you heard that right! The Jordan River, the sacred site where Jesus was baptized, is once again at the center of a mystery that could change the course of history.
Scientists are on high alert as they scramble to unravel the secrets of this bizarre phenomenon. The signs are clear, and the implications are staggering. So, what does this mean for us? Let's delve into the mystery to find out the answers!
CIA Classified Book about the Pole Shift, Mass Extinctions and The True Adam & Eve Story
In 1966 a well-known engineer released a book with information that could impact everyone on earth. But before anyone could read it, it was classified by the CIA.
We only learned of its existence a few years ago because of a Freedom of Information request.
The CIA only released 57 pages of the original 284-page manuscript. And those pages have been, in the CIA's own words, "sanitized".
Why does the CIA think this book is so dangerous that they had to hide it from the public for 60 years; and continue to hide most of it?
It's because the man who wrote it describes the end of the world.
