Archaeologists find treasures from mystery civilisation that could rewrite Chinese history

A massive dig unearthed over 500 sophisticated artefacts in the Sanxingdui archaeological site in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan. The dig, which started in 2019, found treasures that had no apparent connection to known Chinese culture and were likely used for religious or magical ceremonies. The amount of items discovered suggests the existence of a prosperous, yet unknown civilisation that may have been economically prosperous and technologically advanced.

The World’s Oldest Banking System: Morocco’s Ancient Granaries

According to historians, the Igudar granaries in Morocco are the world’s oldest bank, going back as far as the 13th century. Some historians believe they may even go farther than that since the granaries are as old as the mountains they are built in.

These granaries belonged to the Amazigh people who settled in Morocco more than 4000 years ago. The Amazigh tribes mainly lived in the South of Morocco which is a mountainous area. They started to build granaries in the caves and cliffs of the mountains.

Each Amazigh family owned a granary and stored their valuables inside it. These valuables ranged from documents and weapons to food and jewelry. An interesting finding is that some granaries were big enough to act as shelters during war times. Some had enough room for cats to protect the valuables from mice.

The Amazigh had various ways of managing the granaries. Firstly, they had tablets (boards) to keep track of the valuables and who they belonged to. The management was the responsibility of a secretary called the Lamine.

Secondly, each tribed selected representatives which formed another management body: the Inflas. The Inflas comprised 10 people and each granary had a key holder called the Amir.

The tribes only paid the Amir for their efforts to keep the valuables safe. Additionally, tribe members could safeguard their own granaries as well.

One of the oldest and biggest of the Igudar is Agadir Imchguiguiln which is more than 700 years old. Recent renovations reveal that it has 130 granaries, a central square, a mosque, and even a prison cell.

Aside from their physical value, the world’s oldest bank, Igudar granaries represent the collective trust inside the community and between different groups of people. In recent years, the Moroccan government has been working to have Unesco recognize the granaries as an international heritage of great importance as well.

Particle physics has revealed a 2,500-year-old catacombs in the ancient Greek necropolis

The ruins of the ancient necropolis of Neapolis, built by the Greeks between the end of the fourth and the beginning of the third century BC, are located about 10 meters beneath modern-day Naples.

Unfortunately, the Sanità district has a high population density and urban characteristics, making systematic excavations extremely difficult. Nonetheless, the archaeological research that led to the discovery of the Ipogei dei Togati and the Ipogei dei Melograni led researchers to make assumptions about the presence of other unknown monuments.

The use of cosmic rays and lasers allowed researchers to examine the underground without the need for any physical excavation.

The collaboration between particle physics and archaeology, two seemingly unrelated fields, produced a technique known as muography, which is particularly useful in urban settings where it is impractical to use active study techniques due to its non-invasive nature.

In collaboration with the University of Nagoya in Japan, a group of researchers from the University of Naples Federico II and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics used muography to detect the presence of possible cavities in the underground of Naples‘ Sanità district. One of the most significant structures discovered is a hidden Hellenistic chamber that most likely houses a burial.

Muography is a technique that makes use of muons, which are high-energy charged particles produced by cosmic rays in the upper layers of the atmosphere. These muons were installed 18 meters below the Sanità district’s current street level to measure muon flux for about a month.

Researchers used a special technology called “nuclear emulsion” to record the tracks of these muons. This technology uses highly sensitive photographic film to capture and visualize the paths of these particles. As a result, the researchers were able to generate a radiographic image of the upper layers and observe both known and unknown structures.

The muography revealed an excess of muons in the data, which could only be explained by the presence of a new burial chamber. The study explained that the chamber’s area measures roughly 6.5 by 11.5 feet and has a rectangular shape, indicating that it is human-made rather than natural.

Based on the depth of the chamber, the researchers believe it was part of an ancient Greek necropolis dating from the sixth to third centuries B.C. This hypogeum was most likely the tomb of a wealthy individual.

The researchers suspect this chamber is similar to others discovered in the late 1800s, such as the Hypogeum of the Toga-Wearers and the Hypogeum of the Pomegranates.

1,500-year-old secret underground passage uncovered in Istanbul

During the ongoing excavations in the ruins of Saint Polyeuktos Church in Istanbul’s Saraçhane neighborhood, which was destroyed during the Latin invasion, a 1,500-year-old underground passage has been discovered.

A previously unknown underground passage about 20 meters from the nearby Haşim Işçan Passage was discovered. The carved marble blocks and reliefs in the underground passage, which contains mosaics and stone inlays, have impressed researchers.

Mahir Polat, Deputy Secretary-General of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, stated that the structure is an excellent example of the city’s architecture that has withstood the test of time and the wrath of earthquakes.

“What is one of the most important aspects of this discovery of a 1,500-year-old passage? Dozens of tremors have passed in these 1,500 years in Istanbul, which is currently struggling with earthquake risk. This structure has managed to survive all these earthquakes. Türkiye should learn the secret and have knowledge of this,” Polat explained.

5 Most Notorious Pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy

This video explores the stories of the 5 most notorious pirates from the Golden Age of Piracy.

Join us as we journey back to the 1700s, a time of daring and danger, and uncover the tales of these swashbucklers who sailed the seven seas, spreading terror and mayhem in pursuit of greater treasures. Enjoy!

The Bizarre Lifestyle of Indian Empire's Male Concubines

The fascinating tales from India's long history have captured worldwide attention. The royal families' way of life, especially their attitudes towards male concubines, was one of the most exciting features of Indian dynasties.

The Legacy of Ancient Egypt Pyramids Symbols of Power and Majesty

The ancient Egypt pyramids are undoubtedly one of the most iconic and recognizable architectural wonders in the world. Built thousands of years ago, these massive structures served as the final resting place for the pharaohs and their consorts. Beyond their practical purpose, however, the pyramids were also symbols of power and majesty, both for the pharaohs who commissioned them and for the civilization they represented.

See the Titanic like never before, showing the historic shipwreck in surprising detail

More than a century after it sank, the first ever full-sized scans of the Titanic show the historic shipwreck in astonishing detail.

Experts have taken thousands of digital images to create an incredible 3D reconstruction of the wreck, which now lies 350 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The images, published by the BBC, reveal the wreckage in greater detail than ever before, including stalactites of rust on the ship's bow, the serial number on a propeller, and a hole over where the grand staircase once stood.

They present Titanic almost as if it's been retrieved from the water, although this will likely never happen as the wreck is so fragile that it would disintegrate under any movement.

Experts hope studies of the scans could reveal more about the mysteries surrounding what happened on the fateful night in April 1912, such as the exact mechanics of how it struck the seafloor.

The luxury ocean liner – owned and operated by British company White Star Line – tragically sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912 after a collision with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean, killing an estimated 1,517 of the 2,224 people on board.

Where Did the Other Human Species Go?

In this video, we delve into the fascinating world of human evolution and explore the history of other human species that once roamed the earth. From the Neanderthals to the Denisovans, we take a closer look at the different human species that lived alongside our ancestors.

We examine the key differences between Homo sapiens and the other human species and explore the factors that may have led to their eventual disappearance. From climate change to interbreeding with other species, we explore the different theories that help us understand why Homo sapiens is the only surviving human species today.

Through engaging visuals and easy-to-understand explanations, we bring this complex topic to life and give viewers a deeper understanding of human evolution and the role of other human species in our history. Whether you're a history buff or simply interested in learning more about our ancestors, this video has something for everyone.

2,000 years of financial records have been found in the City of David, Jerusalem

A financial record dating back 2,000 years has been unearthed on the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David, Jerusalem’s main street during the Second Temple period, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Wednesday.

The discovery sheds light on the commercial activities of the time and provides a rare glimpse into the city’s inhabitants’ daily lives.

The inscription on the small stone tablet found was probably a receipt or a payment instruction recorded by a person engaged in commercial activity during the Second Temple period, the independent governmental archaeological body said.

Excavations in the City of David revealed the inscription, which features seven partially preserved lines. The lines include Hebrew names accompanied by letters and numbers. The name ‘Shimon’ appears at the end of one line, followed by the Hebrew letter “mem.” The other lines contain symbols representing numbers, some of which are accompanied by the Hebrew letter “mem” or the letter “resh,” abbreviations for “money” and “quarters,” respectively.

Four similar Hebrew inscriptions have been documented in Jerusalem and Bet Shemesh, all with names and numbers carved on similar stone slabs and dating to the Early Roman period, according to the article. This, however, is the first inscription found to date within the boundaries of the city of Jerusalem at that time.

The Classical Roman Sunken City of Baia Was The Hedonistic Las Vegas of The Time

In its heyday, the Classical Roman city of Baia was the hedonist Las Vegas of the time, but now its remains are partying beneath the waves.

A prominent resort city for centuries, Baia catered to the recreational whims of the rich and powerful among the Roman elite.

The city, which was located over natural volcanic vents, was famous for its healing medicinal hot springs which occurred all around the city and were quite easy to build spas over.

Some of antiquity’s most powerful figures such as Nero, Cicero, and Caesar were known to have visited the city and a number of them actually built permanent vacation villas there.

Unfortunately, the good times were not to last and the city was sacked by a Muslim army in the 8th century.

By 1500, the remains of the formerly luxurious town were abandoned.

After the city remains were emptied, the water level slowly rose due to the same volcanic vents that were once a draw to the area, and most of the ancient ruins were drowned under the shallow waters of the bay.

Cowboy’s Historic Discovery Was Forgotten, And There’s An Unjust Explanation Behind It

Not many people today know the name George McJunkin, but maybe they should. This guy’s largely been erased from U.S. history, which is a shame because of what he contributed to it. His incredible discovery arguably altered the way we understand the development of the North American continent — but he never got the credit for it. Now, 100 years after his death, we have to ask ourselves: why is that?

Italy's Most Evil Road

Dead center in the most touristic part of Rome is a fascist road. How did it get there? Watch the video below to find out!

Why did England restore its Monarchy after its Civil War? (Short Animated Documentary)

A lot of people in England (as well as Scotland and Ireland) went to a lot of trouble to remove King Charles I and turn the country into a republic. But a mere eleven years after Charles' appointment with a headsmen and military rule, Charles' son was back and on the throne. So why did they bring them back and unlike the Netherlands just continue without a monarchy? To find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary.

Nazca Desert Mystery | Full Documentary

One of the world’s greatest ancient enigmas, the Nazca lines are a dense network of criss-crossing lines, geometric shapes, and animal figures etched across 200 square miles of Peruvian desert. Who created them and why? Ever since they were rediscovered in the 1920s, scholars and enthusiasts have raised countless theories about their purpose. Now, archaeologists have discovered hundreds of long-hidden lines and figures as well as evidence of ancient rituals, offering new clues to the origins and motivations behind the giant desert symbols.

Top 5 Lost Civilizations That Mysteriously Vanished

Embark on a captivating journey through history as we unveil the Top 5 Mysterious Lost Civilizations that vanished without a trace.

From the awe-inspiring Maya civilization and the enigmatic Indus Valley culture to the intriguing Rapa Nui people of Easter Island, the sophisticated Minoans of Crete, and the legendary city of Atlantis, we'll explore the remarkable achievements and unsolved mysteries that continue to mystify historians and archaeologists to this day.

12 Most Incredible Archaeological Finds

You'll only ever see the most captivating archaeological treasures in our videos. We scour the world, leaving the mundane and lacklustre behind, to bring you glimpses of ancient wonders. Average archaeological finds aren't good enough for us; we seek only the best, and we've found another collection of them for you right here. Let's go!