A dazzling civilization flourished in Sudan nearly 5,000 years ago. Why was it forgotten?
On the banks of the Nile River in eastern Sudan, the desert landscape is broken up by an unlikely sight. Towering towards the sky are a series of stone and granite pyramids, some reaching almost 100 feet high. But unlike their counterparts in Egypt, these monuments were largely written out of the history books – and remain relatively unknown to this day.
With so much of the Earth’s surface covered in water, it’s no surprise that there are some pretty unbelievable findings beneath the water. Scientists and divers have discovered a bunch of things that would shock you, including entire cities, pyramids, and maybe even a UFO.
One of the most astonishing underwater cities is known as Heracleion. It sunk to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and wasn’t discovered until the year 2000. French archaeologists found statues of ancient Pharaohs, works of art, gold coins, and a fleet of ships. Another city was sunk on purpose by the Chinese government, and it wasn’t rediscovered until 1959. Lion City is still in flawless condition, and the water has actually helped to preserve its ancient artefacts and structures.
Hidden cities aren’t the only things that have been found below the water. A river was found with its very own waterfalls, trees, and leaves right below the Black Sea! It's like an entirely different world hidden beneath the surface of the water! There’s absolutely no limit to what you may find the next time you go deep sea diving. But if you don’t have any plans on exploring the abyss of the ocean anytime soon, we have pictures of some of the hidden deep sea and ocean gems that will surely shock you.
If you would like to see the 10 most amazing things ever found underwater, make sure to watch our video. Let us know in the comments section which of these items is the most amazing to you!
Neolithic people, according to researchers, used the 7,000-year-old road that is now submerged under the water.
The drowned remains of a 7,000-year-old road that once connected an ancient artificial landmass to the Croatian island of Korčula have been found by archaeologists. The Hvar, an extinct maritime society that lived in this region during the Neolithic Era, left behind the submerged road and various other artifacts.
According to a statement from the university, Igor Borzić, a researcher at the University of Zadar's Archaeology Department who was looking into sites on land, discovered "strange structures" at a depth of around 15 feet in the Bay of Gradina, on the western coast of Korčula. The university published additional video of the submerged passage, which was formed of stacked stones and was around 12 feet broad, over the weekend.
In a statement published on Facebook on May 8, the University of Zadar stated that researchers shocked themselves by discovering remains at the submerged neolithic site of Soline on the island of Korčula. They specifically found a path connecting the coast of the island of Korčula with the drowned prehistoric settlement of the Hvar culture beneath the layers of sea muck.
The researchers also found fragments of millstones, flint blades, and stone axes among the underwater remains. The relics provided information on the enigmatic Hvar peoples, who arrived in the northeast Adriatic Sea some 7,000 years ago and resided on its islands and beaches.
According to the university, various experts and organizations are working together on the underwater research, which is being directed by archaeologist Mate Parica, who has been studying the location for a while.
Underwater excavations have uncovered numerous Hvar remains and artifacts, including a village built atop a man-made island. The announcement claimed that the recently found route connected this island to the shore of Korčula. In addition to ceramics and decorations, the Hvar people also left behind signs of subsistence farming and burial customs.
Archaeologists are excavating historic sites on land in addition to underwater studies, such as a cave in the adjacent town of Vela Luka that has been inhabited for at least 19,000 years by numerous cultures, including the Hvar.
Aside from being works of art, what else are the Blythe Intaglios?
The Blythe Intaglios (also known as Blythe Geoglyphs) adorn the desert floor in the Colorado Desert, close to the boundary of California and Arizona. One of the long-lasting historical puzzles in American history is these vast ground designs. Nobody is certain of when or who exactly built them. What is known, though, is that it took a lot of time and effort to produce these incredible works of nature art. This illustrates how significant the geoglyphs were to the people who created them.
Blythe Intaglios. Geoglyphs in the Colorado Desert, California. Source: Google Earth 2017.
Their age ranges from 450 to 2000 years. The Mohave and Quechan people who live along the lower Colorado River believe that the human figures stand for Mastamho, the One who created all life.
Discovering the Desert Giants
On the morning of November 12, 1931, Army Air Corps pilot George Palmer flew from the Hoover Dam region to Los Angeles. When Palmer observed odd figures below him on the arid Colorado Desert landscape, the flight changed from ordinary to the unexpected. Beyond the cockpit loomed what appeared to be images of a mountain lion, horses, and a serpent with huge boulders for eyes.
Palmer's attention must have been drawn to the giants, though. Anthropomorphic human figures could be found among the assortment of animals and geometrical patterns. big ones. The desert giants also appeared to be male. One of them had a clear representation of its manhood on display. While the Sun and a serpent looked on from above, another person held a spear poised over two fish. A third person was standing with his arms and legs extended as though he were taking part in a summoning or ancient rite.
There were a total of six figures. They stood for three people and three animals, according to Palmer's interpretation. Upon landing in Los Angeles, the pilot relayed his observations, but there wasn't much curiosity right away. The Great Depression was gripping America. Few people were interested in these desert giants unless they could perform a unique form of magic that would satisfy their hunger and enable them to resume their task. The first investigation into Palmer's discovery near Blythe, California, wouldn't happen for more than 20 years.
Geoglyphic War Casualties
A new threat was developing in Europe as the Great Depression destroyed lives and tore apart families from coast to coast. The ascent of Adolf Hitler will soon drag America into a conflict far more expensive than the struggle for domestic survival. Bread queues and aid payments were overshadowed by the more tangible grief of having a family member go to war.
For training, General George S. Patton called up recruits to the Colorado Desert. He was clearly unaware that the Blythe Intaglios found under army vehicles' tires were one of the first casualties of the war effort. Some of the desert geoglyphs had tire tracks visible on them by the time National Geographic and the Smithsonian sent a team of scientists to investigate the intaglios in 1952. Before American park authorities built walls, five more years would pass.
The Blythe Intaglios currently fall under the State Historic Monument No. 101 classification. Although the intaglios are still enclosed by fences, anyone wishing to view them up close is free to do so whenever they like. Some tourists go out of curiosity, while others try to unravel the mysteries that archaeologists have never been able to solve with absolute certainty. Who built these enormous desert creatures, and why?
Anthropomorphic geoglyph at Blythe Intaglios. Wikimedia Commons, credit: Rons Log.
Intaglios are used in the US
Intaglio is an Italian word. It speaks of the engraving procedure. This is how the Blythe geoglyphs were created. Native Americans created intaglios using a time-consuming procedure that involved removing layers of the desert floor. As rocks and pebbles are removed, the top, black layer quickly gives way to the lighter tones below. The shapes created by the process are traced by these rocks and pebbles. Anyone may see the effect, which resembles a 3-D effect, from the air, as Palmer did on his flight.
In the US, intaglios are common. In Needles, California, there is an extensive maze that was built using the same technique as the Blythe Intaglios. The Topock Maze's creators and precise age are likewise still a bit of a mystery. The American Southwest is home to the majority of intaglio examples, which serves to focus conjecture on the several Native American tribes who once called these regions home.
Numerous suggestions have been put forth by researchers to explain who made the Blythe Intaglios. The majority of people concur that they were created by Native Americans who lived along the Colorado River. However, efforts to pinpoint the precise tribes at fault have been ineffective. One widely accepted explanation holds that they were created by the Patayan people who lived in the region from roughly 700 to 1550 AD.
Animal and human form geoglyphs, Blythe Intaglios. Source: Google Earth 2017.
Iconography for religion or merely art?
It is challenging to argue that these geoglyphs in the desert are merely works of art. Although they are undoubtedly visible from the ground, viewing them from the air offers the greatest perspective. It makes sense to assume that their makers intended for them to please immortal eyes.
On two mesas, there are the Blythe Intaglios. The intaglios in Blythe are by far the largest of the about 600 found in the Southwest of the United States. More over half of a football field long, or 171 feet, is one of the enormous human figures. Although the other human figures are somewhat smaller, they are all longer than 100 feet.
Creation Figures
These large sizes may be a reflection of the Native American peoples' typical veneration for deity beings. The human figures are thought to be depictions of a supernatural creator, according to members of tribal societies that are still present in the area. The depictions of animals serve to tell a creation myth. They range in age from 450 to 2000 years old. The Mohave and Quechan people who live along the lower Colorado River believe that the human figures stand for Mastamho, the One who created all life. The animal representations are of Hatakulya, one of the two mountain lions/creators. The region used to host religious ceremonial dances in the past to celebrate creation (Recreation.gov). But why did they make them so that they could be seen best from above?
Anthropomorphic figure. Source: Google Earth 2017.
There are various rationales that could apply. One of the more logical explanations is that the Blythe Intaglios are a form of homage or offering to the Native American Creator or God. In this setting, the geoglyphs would be used to characterize the locals as submissive and devoted servants. A good god would undoubtedly be pleased to see such an amazing spectacle from the heavens. Extreme ideas, on the other hand, contend that the intaglios were a landmark or beacon for a long-extinct alien culture. In the distant past, this would have facilitated their trip to the mesa.
Intaglios as Cultural Identity
All scientists and archaeologists appear to agree on one thing. The potential of the Blythe Intaglios to maintain the cultural identity of the Native American peoples may be their greatest value. Ironically, the conquering of America's first inhabitants happened in a procedure quite similar to how these amazing geoglyphs were made. The Native American way of life has slowly been erased, leaving behind just a lighter version of a once-vibrant and colorful society.
In today’s video we take a look at these 5 mysteries of the Aztecs that cannot be explained.
We don't know why the tunnel under the Temple of the Sun was forcibly sealed with massive boulders 1,800 years ago. As of right now, archaeologists don't know why the deep tunnel under the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, Peru was forcibly sealed with massive boulders one thousand eight hundred years ago.
However, there are several theories that have been proposed by archaeologists and historians. One theory suggests that the tunnel may have been sealed to prevent looting or desecration of the temple by invaders or rival factions.
Most of our planet is underwater, which is a fact it can be easy to forget. And the amount we really know about what goes on below the surface is actually not a whole lot. The watery world around us is still a huge mystery and there are plenty of strange things being discovered as technology improves that are just blowing our minds. From the ancient submerged city to the water that turns into milk, here’s 20 Bizarre Things Found Underwater Nobody Can Explain.
The second Lingjiatan culture forum began on May 7, 2023, and included presentations of the most recent archeological discoveries and talks about the preservation and excavation of the Lingjiatan relics site in the Anhui Province in east China.
Aerial photo taken on Oct. 29, 2021 shows a view of the Lingjiatan relics site in Hanshan County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)
In Maanshan City of Anhui, where the Lingjiatan relics site is situated, more than 200 people from all over China, including government officials, archeologists, experts, and intellectuals, have been invited to take part in the conference.
There will be an opening ceremony, a major forum, two panel discussions, and a site inspection during the event, which runs from May 6 to May 8.
The celebration will also feature the debut of a documentary and the inauguration of the Lingjiatan National Archeological Park, according to regional authorities.
A Neolithic habitation site with a total area of around 1.6 million square meters, the Lingjiatan relics site dates back 5,300 to 5,800 years. The 5,000-year-old Liangzhu Culture, which has evidence of Chinese civilization, is thought to be a direct descendant of Lingjiatan, according to archaeologists.
Over 7,000 square meters of the site have been excavated in total over the 14 excavations that have been done there since it was discovered in 1985. The excavation has yielded more than 3,000 priceless artifacts, including pottery, jade wares, and stone objects.
Here's a map showing Canada, a vast and diverse country located in the northern part of North America. It shares borders with the United States and is the second-largest country in the world by land area. Canada is home to over 37 million people, with a rich history and culture that spans back thousands of years to its Indigenous peoples.
In today’s video we will reveal 15 of the most fascinating discoveries that have emerged from the depths of Canada's past and present and let us show you that Canada is not what we're being told. Enjoy!
New photographs have shown how Africa is physically splitting apart. Scientists say that this will eventually lead to the formation of a new ocean and give rise to a new continent. In today's video, we will explore what will happen to the world we know, after Africa splits.
In underwater archaeological research at the submerged Neolithic site of Soline on the island of Korčula, archaeologists from the University of Zadar have discovered the remains of a road dating back nearly 7,000 years, according to a statement from the university.
Beneath layers of marine sediment, a road connecting a submerged prehistoric settlement with the coast of the island of Korčula has been uncovered, the university adds. The road consisted of carefully laid stone slabs, part of a 4-metre-wide communication route that connected the artificially created island with the shore.
Radiocarbon analysis of preserved wood found in a previous archaeological campaign dated the entire settlement to around 4900 BC. People walked on this road nearly 7,000 years ago, as stated in the University of Zadar's press release. At the same time, on the other side of Korčula, archaeologists from the University of Zadar are conducting terrestrial research near the bay of Gradina, near Vela Luka.
Research leader Igor Borzić noticed peculiar structures in the bay, and the archaeological team diving at the Soline site conducted a survey of the central part of the Gradina bay. To their general excitement, they discovered the presence of an almost identical settlement at a depth of four to five metres, similar to the one found in Soline, the statement highlights.
Neolithic artefacts such as flint blades, stone axes, and fragments of querns have been found at the site.
Embark on a captivating journey into the deepest corners of the ocean in 'The Abyssal Odyssey: A Journey Into Earth's Final Frontier'. This 10-minute video offers a glimpse into the mesmerizing world of the abyssal plains. Venture beyond the reach of sunlight and discover a realm teeming with life, where creatures have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive. From the essential role of marine snow to the fascinating behaviors of scavengers, predators, and the surprising life around hydrothermal vents, this video reveals the intricate web of interactions that sustain this mysterious ecosystem. Dive deep with us as we explore the importance of the abyssal plains in our planet's health, and the need to preserve these unexplored frontiers.
This video shows every Prime Ministers of Great Britain and the United Kingdom! This is a chronologically ordered list of the prime ministers, from the earliest to the most recent.
The Prime Minister is the political leader of the United Kingdom and is the head of the Government. The office of prime minister developed in Britain in the 18th century, when King George I ceased attending meetings of his ministers and it was left to powerful premiers to act as government chief executive. Sir Robert Walpole is generally considered to have been Britain’s first prime minister.
There were 15 Prime Ministers during the 70 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II, some more than once. The official residence of the Prime Minister of Britain is 10 Downing Street, London.
In the following video we will be talking about how the largest volcano in Indonesia has recently cracked open. Watch the video to find out more!
Living in modern society, it can be easy to forget how many different types of people exist in this world. In the era of electric cars and space exploration, there still exist many hidden ancient tribes and people about whom we know very little about. They seem almost mythical, characters out of stories or games. But in reality, they exist, living in remote areas and isolated locations, uncontacted by the outside world for years. Some of them might be friendly, others, not so much. From cannibals to people with unknown genes, today we take a look at 15 scariest tribes you don't want to meet.
Deep in the woods of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, a diminutive woman struggles through the hostile terrain. Following in her footsteps is a stream of escaped slaves making a desperate bid for freedom and liberty in the north. Two centuries later, the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad is well known. But one mystery has endured across the years.
With the help of the COSMOTE CHRONOS application, the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports is now able to offer members of the general public and licensed tour guides a cutting-edge digital aid to enhance the actual experience of visiting the Acropolis as well as a scientifically sound educational resource for schools and the academic community.
The application brings the Parthenon, the temple of Bravronia Artemis, the Chalcotheque, which is no longer standing, as well as the Odeum of Herodes Atticus and the monuments of the southern slope of the Sacred Rock, as seen from the Acropolis museum, back to life before the viewers' eyes in scientifically verified virtual digital recreations.
Also, it displays very evocative items from the museum's third floor, which houses the sculptures from the Parthenon.
Whether they are on the Acropolis itself, somewhere in Greece, or abroad, users of the program can view the monuments in their original size and browse inside them. Through the use of augmented reality, virtual digital representations are correctly and dynamically projected onto the current image of the monuments as captured by the mobile device camera on the Holy Rock, where the experience really takes off.
The application's "Kleio" digital assistant and guide is an innovation. Since the mobile device can connect to a 5G network, which demands swift data transmission and almost instantaneous responses, Kleio can chat with the user in real time using cutting-edge artificial intelligence. She can already respond to more than 10,000 questions about the Acropolis in both Greek and English.
Embark on a thrilling journey of intrigue and excitement as we unveil the remarkable discovery of an advanced civilization long buried beneath the ice of Antarctica. Utilizing the latest and most sophisticated technology, visionary scientists have uncovered compelling evidence of an incredibly sophisticated society that thrived with knowledge and technology far beyond our contemporary comprehension. Prepare to be astonished as the secrets of this ancient civilization are revealed and the implications of this astounding discovery are explored, potentially revolutionizing our current understanding of the world and our place within it.
The River Jordan holds great biblical significance for millions of people worldwide, as it was the sacred site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
However, recent reports indicate that this holy river has finally dried up, causing concern about what this could mean for humanity's future. Additionally, the Euphrates River, another biblical waterway, is also experiencing a troubling decline in water levels.
Join us as we explore the alarming trend of major rivers drying up due to factors such as pollution, climate change, and overuse.
The situation facing the River Jordan is not unique, as other vital rivers, such as the Yangtze and the Danube, are also experiencing similar issues.
These waterways play a critical role in agriculture, industry, and energy production, and their depletion could have serious consequences for global supply chains. Let's delve into the topic to understand what's behind this concerning discovery.
Are you curious about the buried treasures that Iraq conceals? Recently, experts unearthed a remarkable discovery that could revolutionize our comprehension of early civilizations. This extraordinary find is a 4,500-year-old palace situated in Iraq, which has the potential to unlock the secrets of a long-lost civilization. Who were the architects behind this magnificent structure? And what secrets does it contain?
In the following video we will be explaining the history of Switzerland. Watch the video to find out more about how Switzerland was formed!
