The Yamnaya culture, also called the Kurgan or Late Ochre Grave culture, of the late Neolithic and Bronze age Pontic steppe is believed to belong to one of several Proto-Indo-European speaking Western Steppe herder peoples who were ancestral to many modern peoples and who spread Indo-European languages across Eurasia. But what did Yamnaya look like? In this documentary film you can see 3D forensic facial reconstructions of Yamnaya men by the artist Robert Molyneaux and you can learn all about what Yamnaya people ate, why they loved milk, how they lived, their burial customs, how they spread and more.
Bizarre Discoveries That Scientists Can't Explain
Scientists often get baffled when unraveling discoveries and mysteries, as they try to findlogic where it may seem to be absent. But not all discoveries can be explained by science. At the very least, not for now. Here are 10 of the most bizarre discoveries that scientists can't explain.
Amazing Treasures Found by Accident
Treasures are found all the time, from ancient artefacts to modern masterpieces, but most of the time they're only discovered after extensive research. Here are the stories of the top 10 most amazing treasures to ever be found by accident.
The Mysterious Genetic Origins of Native Americans before Columbus
The Americas were the final continents that humanity discovered, and the early Native American settlers were an extremely tough people, that first had to endure the frozen Arctic. In order to survive, the people who would eventually conquer the Americas developed some peculiar adaptations, and it's possible that these people were separated from the rest of humanity for 15,000 years. A small group of explorers stood on the brink of a new world.
The Americas, a 15 million square mile region to the south, contained vast plains, dense rainforests, and massive mountain ranges. A remarkable adventure had just come to an end, which was the only reason an epic journey was about to start. These early explorers in America had spent centuries eking out a living in the barren areas just south of the Arctic circle, before making the journey south. Global temperatures fell once they got to the north, and the weather got even worse. These original explorers chose to stay put in the face of deteriorating circumstances, spending thousands of years apart from the rest of humanity.
Now that their fate has been revealed, it is evident that something remarkable occurred during those years. It turns out that the unusual adaptations, that the people who would eventually conquer the Americas developed to survive, can be used to identify their descendants today.
Ancient Secrets, Mummies & Lost Empires
In the following video we will be explore mind-blowing Ancient Egyptian revelations, shocking Ancient secrets, mega-tombs, and more. Enjoy!
10 Most Bizarre Cases Of Forbidden History
In the following video we will analyze the 10 most bizarre cases of forbidden history. Watch the video to find out more!
12 Most Mysterious Ancient Technologies Scientists Still Can't Explain
Many of the palaces, temples, monuments and cities built by our ancient ancestors are still around for us to admire in the present day. However, admiring them doesn’t tell us anything about how they were built. The construction techniques and technologies of our ancestors are still largely a mystery to us, and we can prove that with the ancient technological wonders you’re about to see in this video!
The Whole History of Jerusalem in 3D
In the following video we will be exploring 3D models of Jerusalem from 13 different periods. Watch the video to find out more!
A very peculiar and amazing miracle of nature: the Thinking Tree in Puglia
It is clear how nature is providing us with a fresh spectacle to admire from the ancient olive tree in Ginosa, Puglia, Italy, which has been dubbed "The Thinking Tree." In fact, just looking at its trunk will reveal a face with numerous eyes, a nose, and a mouth that appear to be carved into the bark.
The video of the thinking tree
A video was taken nearby the ancient tree to verify that the decoration on the olive tree's trunk that resembles a human face is genuinely a work of nature.
Michele Grecucci took the picture. View the video below.
10 Amazing and Shocking Facts About The Sumerians
Ancient Sumerians are among the mystifying and divisive civilizations that continue to confound us now. Their civilisation, which seemed to emerge out of thin air during the Stone Age, demonstrated sophisticated expertise in the organization as well as the economic and social stability of its residents. The oldest written language, the division of time into minutes and seconds, the development of great towns, the invention of the wheel, the actual establishment of trade, and don't forget beer are just a few of the amazing inventions ascribed to them.
In fact, the Sumerian civilisation was so prosperous that by the fourth millennium BC, more than ten city-states had already been founded. Their traditions, values, and religious rituals served as the model for succeeding cultures and have been woven into many of our modern behaviors—some of which may surprise you. Here are some of the most bizarre things known about the ancient Sumerians.
10 Firm Belief in Vampires
Who thought that a fantastic vampire narrative actually existed? Everyone enjoys a good vampire story. The Ekimmu and the Utukku were two categories of demons that the ancient Sumerians believed relished the taste of blood or human life energy.
When it comes to today's conventional vampire lore, the Ekimmu are the angered souls of the dead who remained unburied, hunting the soil and sleeping exclusively beneath the ground. On the other hand, the Utukku were the ghosts of the dead who had been buried without being remembered by their loved ones or having sacrifices placed at their tombs.
Because of this, the Utukku would immediately return from the afterlife to harm everyone and everything they came into contact with, always looking for food from their victims. Similar to the vampires of Eastern Europe, the Utukku is a relentless predator that is nearly impossible to eradicate. One of the Sumerian legends describes a Utukku named Ea-Bani who met Gilgamesh and ultimately became his buddy, despite the fact that they were nasty and psychotic.
9 Legends & Tales of Werewolves
Researchers discovered the earliest surviving narrative of humans turning into wolves in cuneiform script on 12 clay tablets at Nineveh (now Kuyunjik) in 1853, one of the oldest stories ever recorded in history (dating back to 2100 BC). The tale, referred known as the Epic of Gilgamesh, is about Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, who is being chased by the goddess Ishtar. He declines her overtures though, warning her of the dreadful destiny of her previous lovers, whom she turned into wolves.
There is consensus among academics that the Sumerian culture included a werewolf belief system. In fact, King Nebuchadnezzar II, who ruled from roughly 605 to 562 BC, may very likely have met his end as a result of the widespread belief in werewolves. He destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem and built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the first seven wonders of the world. According to the biblical book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar suffered from a terrible form of depression that progressed over the course of seven years to a complete madness. He thought he had experienced lycanthropy during this time, a condition better known today as turning into a wolf.
8 Sumerians Were “Flat-Earthers”
The skies were seen by the Sumerians as a series of three domes covering a flat earth. A variety of rare and expensive stone kinds were used to create each dome. It was thought that the stars lived in the lowest or first dome, which was composed of jasper. The Igigi, also known as the "gods of the heavens," resided in the second dome, which was constructed of saggilmut stone. The "god of the sky"—An—was personified in the third and largest dome, which was constructed out of luludntu stone.
Similar associations were made between several deities and the heavenly bodies. They thought Venus to be the goddess of sex, love, and battle, Inanna. The moon represented Nanna, their father, while the sun represented the deity of justice, her brother Utu. Since the sky were created only for the gods, ordinary people could never enter heaven. A person's soul would not go to heaven, but to Kur (later called Irkalla), the underworld located far below the earth's surface.
7 Sumerian Tablets Mirror the Bible’s Creation Story
There are origin stories for the world in almost every civilization on the planet. In fact, many academics believe that the genesis narrative found on the surviving Sumerian cuneiform tablets is summarized and condensed in the Bible. The gods, according to Sumerians, predated the creation of the world as we know it.
Sadly, very little Sumerian literature from the third millennium BC currently exists, although it does mention a time before the gods when just An (Heaven) and Ki (Earth) existed. There was no moon or sun at this time, and everything was pitch-black. Although the soil was lush and covered in water, there was no life or vegetation on it.
It appears that the contents of the ancient cuneiform tablets coincide with some of the Egyptian theories on the origins of life on earth because of the striking similarities between the characters discovered on the Sumerian cuneiform tablets and those found on Egyptian hieroglyphs. Only roughly 60,000 of the more than 500,000 cuneiform tablets that have been discovered so far have had their meanings interpreted and made public.
6 Built the First Pyramids
The only nearby civilisation with step pyramids that were essential to its religious and social life was Sumerian. Around 2200 BC, ziggurats first arose. These amazing pyramid-like structures were square or rectangular, had no internal chambers, and were roughly 52 meters (170 feet) tall. Ziggurats frequently had sloping sides and garden paths. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon was one of them. Ziggurats were the world's earliest step-pyramids, despite the fact that they may not be as well-known as the Giza pyramids.
The first ziggurat step pyramid was built more than 400 years before the first step pyramid in Egypt, despite the fact that the Sumerian culture invented nearly everything that supports civilization as we know it today. Tepe Sialk is a location in the middle of Iran, near to Turkmenistan and the Caspian Sea. Tepe Sialk is the earliest ziggurat in Iran, though there are other ones as well. Although it is debatable, many academics hold the controversial view that the step pyramids and the pyramids were constructed by the same individuals. They contend that such an invention, which not only called for the cutting-edge engineering abilities of the time but also represented the distinct belief systems, would have been improved and repeated over time.
5 Bloodthirsty Warriors
The city-states of Sumer were constantly at battle with one another over territory, resources, and water. Alliances came and went, but until Eannatum of Lagash rose to power and effectively united all of Sumer's city-states under his reign, each state had its own independent kings. Up to the arrival of Sargon the Great in around 2234 BC, the first Sumerian empire was still in existence. Sargon of Akkad, a military genius who we'll see again later, employed both chariots and infantry. His chariot soldiers would utilize both bows and arrows and spears, whereas the infantry forces were armed with lethal combinations of swords, spears, clubs, maces, and slings.
The city-states of Sumer engaged in conflict on a nearly daily basis, which sparked the invention of military innovations that were unmatched. One of the most important military developments in ancient times was the development of the chariot. A minimum of four onagers were required to pull the Sumerian chariot, which normally had four wheels. An important element was the virtually perfect control the Sumerians' onagers provided by pulling their reins through rein rings fastened to the chariot itself while controlling them with rings through their nostrils.
4 Their First Female Ruler Became a Deity
The sole monarch of the Sumerians, Kubaba (also known as Kug-Baba or Kubau), ascended to the throne in 2500 BC. She is claimed to have ruled for a century, which was marked by expansion and concord. Her name can be found in the Sumerian King List, which lists the accomplishments of all Sumerian kings. Puzur-Suen, her son, succeeded her as ruler. Without getting into too much detail, the Annunaki gods were supposed to have approved of Kubaba's authority over ancient Sumerian citizens, which was noteworthy on its own. The Anatolian and Hurrian cultures deified and venerated her after she passed away.
Significantly, Kubaba's history before to becoming queen appears to have taken an intriguing turn. Scholars believe that Kubaba may have been a bar keeper because in ancient times, such a position was very respectable and only a few women really held one. Only one statue of her is still standing today.
3 Was Moses a Famous Sumerian?
The Akkadian Sargon the Great, who eventually came to dominate all of Sumer's city-states after defeating their forces in roughly 2334 BC, has a mysterious past. One narrative claimed that he was the secret child of a high priestess who placed him in a basket and dumped him in a river; this account is quite similar to the Old Testament story of Moses. He was a gardener's son who finally rose to the position of king's cupbearer, according to Sumerian traditions.
However, it appears that the cuneiform tablets have provided us with the most information about his life and support both of the other theories. One inscription, titled "The Legend of Sargon," claims that he was the illegitimate offspring of a changeling, who could either be the goddess Inanna or a high-priestess. The youngster was placed in a basket and cast into the Euphrates River since his mother had to conceal her pregnancy and could not risk being exposed by rearing the child. His mother lined the basket with tar to keep him warm, and she carried him down the river until a man named Akki, the gardener for Ur-Zababa, King of the City of Kish, came upon him.
2 And Also Noah?
There are stories about the Great Flood in many different religions and cultures around the world. Although the Bible is where we learn about Noah and his Ark, ancient Mesopotamian cultures and civilizations are where the story's roots can be found.
One of the world's oldest known written stories, The Epic of Gilgamesh has a history of about 5,000 years. It tells the story of Utnapishtim, a man who received a warning that angry gods were about to unleash a flood. He starts building a big boat right away, fortifies it with pitch and tar, and just in time packs his family, animals, and a variety of seeds into it. Utnapishtim, like Noah, sends a bird into the wild to search for dry land after many days of storms and rain.
After the translation of various old cuneiform tablets, it was determined in the 19th century that the Mesopotamian Flood mythology is the oldest in existence. Since the Hebrew and Mesopotamian tales are so similar, it is generally believed that Mesopotamia is where the narrative first appeared. The Mesopotamian version really gives us details that could not possibly have come from the original Hebrew account.
1 Was Gilgamesh’s Father a Demon?
A real king served as the inspiration for the myths, tales, and traditions of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh is thought to have governed Uruk sometime about 2500 BC. Additionally, he appears in the Sumerian King List. Many stories and legends about his accomplishments and exploits developed over many generations, inspiring the creation of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
He might, however, have been much more than just a man. Gilgamesh's father was in fact a Lillu-demon, according to a text dated 2400 BC. The other three were Ardat Lilli, a female vampire demon who preyed on males at night, and Irdu Lilli, a male vampire demon who preyed on women at night. This Lillu was one of four demons that belonged to the vampire category; the others were known as Lilitus, the female vampire demon (which eventually became Lilith in the Hebrew legend). Lilitu was viewed as a magnificent yet sexually perverse vampire, similar to some literary representations that have appeared over the past few decades. The Babylonians and the Hebrews gradually embraced the diverse versions of these traditions, and subsequently, related legends spread throughout the world.
Ten of the World's Oldest Known Sculptures
Our ancestors have been producing sculptures of all sizes out of bone, antler, ivory, and stone for thousands of years as a means of exercising their creative faculties. The oldest sculptures in the world are frequently so little that they may fit in the palm of your hand, yet they are not without dispute.
Ancient flint tools that chipped away at the medium the ancient artists employed to produce these wonderful works of art were mostly responsible. They used gouging, drilling, and chiseling techniques, and metal abrasives to smooth down rough surfaces. It's interesting that some of the artworks were discovered hundreds of miles from where they were first located, suggesting that commerce may have taken place.
It is abundantly evident that continual work, technique, and attention were involved in its development, despite the fact that we will never fully comprehend its specific meaning, use, or history. These ancient pieces of art, which depict both actual and legendary animals and people, are a part of human history and belong to each and every one of us.
10 Venus of Brassempouy (23,000 BC)
The Venus of Brassempouy, a unique specimen of prehistoric art, is the last piece of an ivory sculpture that was broken off long ago and discovered in Brassempouy in southwest France in 1892. The head and neck of the original sculpture, known as The Venus of Brassempouy, were made of mammoth ivory. About 1.9 millimeters (0.75 inches) wide, 2.2 centimeters (0.86 inches), and 3.5 centimeters (1.4 inches) are its height, width, and depth, respectively.
This particular sculpture, which stands apart from all other venuses discovered in Europe to date, has a nose, eyes, browline, and forehead but no mouth. Images of braided hair or perhaps even a headpiece have been etched on the sculpture's top and sides. Even if it's possible that we'll never know how the rest of the body looked or what finally happened to it, the stunning face features make this a remarkable work of art. Only a few Stone Age sculptures have accurate depictions of the human face, and this one, which dates to around 23,000 BC, may be the oldest one yet discovered.
9 Moravia Lion Head (24,000 BC)
The significance of the Dolni Vestonice archaeological site in the Czech Republic was quickly realized when excavations there started in 1924. Numerous prehistoric burials as well as hundreds of burnt clay and pottery artifacts were discovered at the location. The 26,000-year-old Moravia Lion Head was one of these.
The Lion Head is made of baked clay and measures 4.5 cm (1.75 inches) in width by 2.8 cm (1.1 inches) in height by 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) in depth. Its ears, eyes, and snout were meticulously constructed. Since Ice Age lions lacked manes, it is impossible to tell if the animal is a lion or lioness. It may have wounds because it has holes above one ear and in one of its eyes.
The research revealed the significance of carnivores in the daily lives of the region's prehistoric inhabitants. They may have hunted carnivores mostly for the purpose of getting animal hides, but they also used other body parts, such bones, to make tools and weapons. Additionally, fox and wolf teeth were utilized to fashion a range of adornments for the individual, including jewelry.
8 Water Bird in Flight (28,000 BC)
The famed Hohle Fels Cave in southwest Germany is where the mammoth ivory sculpture known as The Water Bird in Flight was found. It is one of several stunningly beautiful depictions of animal designs. It is about 30,000 years old and has a length from the tip of its beak to its tailpiece of 4.7 cm (1.85 inches). Near the village of Schelklingen, an ancient site, the little artwork was uncovered in 2002 in two pieces. Animals may have been perceived by early humans as more than just sources of meat, leather, or horn, as evidenced by artifacts like this one, which also suggests that they could have served as promises or messengers.
It is difficult to say with certainty which particular hominid species made this particular sculpture, although it is generally accepted that the creators were modern humans (Homo sapiens).
7 The Vogelhead Horse (31,000 BC)
In southwest Germany, the Vogelherd Cave is situated on the Swabian Jura's eastern side. The Upper Paleolithic Vogelherd figurines, which have been linked to the Aurignacian culture, were found in 1931, and this amazing cave attracted a lot of scholarly and popular attention. One of the oldest continuously existing works of art in the world is a little sculpture made of mammoth ivory.
The oldest horse sculpture in the world, dating back 33,000 years, is among its most well-known pieces. It may have served as a totem or ornament. Although repeated human handling has worn down its characteristics, it is nevertheless unusually formed, exquisitely proportioned, and startlingly expressive. Due to its curved neck, it is usually thought to be a stallion with an authoritative or commanding posture.
Unfortunately, only the head was entirely intact. The sculpture's width was drastically reduced and its legs were eliminated since the external ivory layers have a propensity to flake. The significance of the sculpture's myriad symbols, which are carved on the left side of its chest, its back, and the nape of its head, may never be known or comprehended.
6 The Tolbaga Bear Head (33,000 BC)
The only region in Asia where Pleistocene art has traditionally attracted a sufficient degree of attention, however restricted, is Siberia, followed by Israel. Paleoartworks of outstanding quality have already been found at more than 20 different archaeological sites. While much of the artwork dates to the Pleistocene, the majority of it is from the Upper Paleolithic. Siberian archaeologist and historian Alexey Pavlovich Okladnikov made the discovery of the Tolbaga archaeological site in the 1970s. It is located close to the bank of the Khilok River.
One of the most significant finds at the site was the finely carved head of an animal, widely believed to be a bear, which was chiseled from the second vertebra of the now extinct woolly rhinoceros. The sculpture's tool markings, which were examined under a microscope, revealed that it had been carved and etched using a number of various stone tools. Even though the sculpture's creation on the artist's part required a lot of time and effort, it is nonetheless very detailed and has elements that seem remarkably real.
5 Woolly Mammoth Figurine (33,000 BC)
Archaeologists from the University of Tübingen in Germany discovered the first complete woolly mammoth sculpture in the Swabian Jura in 2007. It is generally accepted that the discovery, which also featured a number of additional figurines, was made at least 35,000 years ago by the earliest known modern humans. The mammoth's complete condition made the discovery unusual, and it is thought to be the oldest ivory sculpture ever found.
Small in size, the woolly mammoth sculpture is only 3.7 centimeters (1.5 inches) long and weighs 7.5 grams (0.25 ounces). It also features exquisitely detailed engravings, a slender body, a sharp tail, strong legs, and a gorgeously arched trunk that truly distinguishes it from other animals. The miniature sculpture is embellished with small lacerations, and the soles of its feet display a crosshatch pattern.
The Vogelherd Cave archaeological site, made well-known by the Tübingen archaeologist Gustav Reik, saw the discovery of a total of five ivory mammoth sculptures from the Upper Paleolithic period during its initial excavation in 1931.
4 Venus of Hohle Fels (38,000 BC)
The tiny ivory sculpture of a female figure, known as the Venus of Hohle Fels, was discovered in 2008 during archaeological digs at the aforementioned Hohle Fels Cave in southwest Germany. It was created during the Aurignacian culture of the Stone Age. It is officially the oldest known Venus figure and the earliest undeniable instance of figurativism known to archaeology. It dates to between 38,000 and 33,000 BC.
When compared to later female figurines like the Venus of Willendorf, the Venus of Hohle Fels exhibits a variety of unique qualities that are commonplace. But because of its astonishing age, we can now better understand the development of Upper Paleolithic art and realize how much more advanced the Aurignacian civilisation was than previously assumed.
Near the Hohlenstein Mountain, there were also many additional, equally significant examples of portable art, but none of them received their own show. One of the attractions of the Ice Age Art and Culture exhibition, which took place in Stuttgart between 2009 and 2010, was the little figurine.
3 Lion Man of the Hohlenstein Stadel (38,000 BC)
The oldest anthropomorphic statue in existence is The Lion Man of Hohlenstein Stadel. The spectacular sculpture was uncovered in Germany's Hohlenstein Stadel in 1939 by archaeologist Robert Wetzel, whose system of caverns continues to provide significant archaeological and historical treasures. The sculpture, which was made 40,000 years ago using flint and stone-cutting tools, is also the first piece of art to be uncovered in Europe that features a masculine figure.
The Lion Man was not discovered in its entirety, and parts of the front of its body are still missing today. It is 31 centimeters (12.2 inches) in length. He appears to be standing on the tips of his toes with his arms at his sides based on his posture and physical make-up. Incisions that might be tattoo patterns or deformity are seen all over the upper left arm. Despite being unearthed alongside many other artifacts, The Lion Man continues to be a truly outstanding example of Stone Age prehistoric human creation.
2 Venus of Tan-Tan (200,000–500,000 BC)
State archaeologist Lutz Fiedler from Germany found the Tan-Tan Venus during an excavation on the northern bank of the Draa River. The sculpture was situated between two layers of undisturbed soil: the bottom layer, which contains artifacts and silt from the Early Acheulian era (about 500 000 BC), and the higher layer, which dates to the Middle Acheulian era (around 200,000 BC). The Venus of Tan-Tan is the oldest piece of art ever discovered in Africa, dating to between 200,000 and 500,000 BC, exactly in line with its excavation site. This puts it on the same timeline as the Golan Venus of Berekhat Ram.
Additionally, the dating effectively discredits Homo neanderthalensis as the group responsible for the artwork's creation and puts the more archaic Homo erectus in the lead. The figurine, which is made of metamorphosed quartzite and weighs around 10 grams (0.3 ounces), is about 6 centimeters (2.5 inches) long, 2.6 centimeters (1 inch) wide, and 1.2 centimeters (0.5 inches) deep. Twenty microscopic flecks of a bright red waxy substance, identified as iron and manganese, were found on its surface; the nature of these flecks is still up for controversy because it is not entirely obvious if they were ochre paint or not.
Similar to its similarly contentious Golan sister, the Venus of Berekhat Ram, the figurine's finely sculpted ridges suggest that it has an anthropomorphic form. While some of these markings have been proved to be the consequence of the artifact being struck, many of them have been attributed to the natural world.
1 The Venus of Berekhat Ram (233,000 and 800,000 BC)
Despite being very debatable, our last item on the list has managed to build a solid argument for its legitimacy. Israel's Golan Heights are where the Venus of Berekhat Ram was discovered. It is thought that the artefact, which was discovered in between two distinct strata of volcanic stone and sand, dates from between 233,000 and 800,000 years ago. Many scholars now consider the artifact to be a likely creation of Homo erectus from the early Middle Paleolithic period because it was altered to show a female human figure.
The majority of the controversy surrounding the discovery was put to rest after Alexander Marshack's microscopic examination made it abundantly evident that human intervention played a role in the object's form. It is generally accepted that the figurine was already somewhat resembling a human when it was found and that it was later sculpted and polished using techniques used by early humans. The sculpture's base shows that it was flattened to allow it to stand upright.
Comparable discoveries in the nearby areas, such the Tan Tan Venus of Morocco, further supported the evidence for the relic. The two figures may have been utilized for ritualistic or ceremonial purposes, and it has been determined for the time being that they could actually be real.
10 Incredible Ancient Underground Structures
History aficionados have been astonished by the buildings and constructions that have been left behind for millennia. The amount of knowledge we can glean from structures like the Parthenon and the Great Pyramid never seems to end. But frequently, what can be seen from above the ground is insignificant in compared to the amazing discoveries made below our feet. These enormous underground constructions, whether they be ancient reservoirs, theaters, temples, or cloaked castles, serve as a living reminder of the extraordinary creativity of the ancient world.
10 Chavin De Huàntar, Peru
Chavin de Huántar, a pre-Colombian pilgrimage site, has an area of around 12,000 square meters (130,000 square feet). The spectacular aspect of the site, which consists of made-up terraces and squares, covered stone structures, and a sunken plaza, attests to its ceremonial and cultural significance in the context of ancient Andean religion.
The three layers of underground tunnels, ventilation shafts, chambers, and stone-lined galleries make up the site's true character. Here, you can witness carved obelisks and statues in their original locations and be in awe of the massive scale of the site's brickwork. In fact, Chavin de Huántar is unmatched among South America's subterranean archaeological sites in terms of the network of drains and vents that is found inside the site's core.
9 Qanat Firaun, Jordan
The Roman-Hellenistic Decapolis cities of Adraa, Abila, and Gadara received water from the Qanat Firaun, also known as the Gadara Aqueduct. The 170 km (105.6 mi) pipeline, which was only uncovered in 2004, is not only the oldest and longest underground aqueduct, but also the most intricate.
It was built in the qanat style, with several tunnels connecting vertical shafts spaced every 20 to 200 meters (65 to 650 feet), or every 65 to 650 feet. Over 600,000 cubic meters (21,200,000 cu ft) of limestone were removed by hundreds of miners over the course of 120 years to build the tunnel, which is equivalent to more than a fourth of the Great Pyramid's overall volume.
8 The Mithraeum At The Baths Of Caracalla, Rome, Italy
The Roman Mithraic cult, a religious organization centered on the Persian god Mithra, had underground temples known as mithraeums. Archaeologists discovered the largest Mithraeum ever discovered in 1912 at the Baths of Caracalla, measuring 230 square meters (2,475 square feet).
Sadly, the great hall's artwork was mostly destroyed by the passage of time, although some relief sculptures and inscriptions were preserved. The fossa sanguinis, a deep pit into which initiates were lowered to be baptized by the blood of a slaughtered bull, is one of its most notable remaining features.
7 The Knights’ Halls, Acre, Israel
The Hospitaller Knights, a monastic order that dedicated themselves to treating the sick and injured during the First Crusade, constructed the Knights' Halls. The complex of halls, which are all a part of the Hospitaller's citadel, were cleverly constructed beneath the castle and prison of Acre—the port city and entrance to the Holy Land.
The building has a dining room, many interconnected halls, an old Gothic church, and a dungeon. After the Crusaders were routed in 1187, the site was largely destroyed by the conquering Muslim army, but it was reconstructed during the Second Crusade. Only 5,000 square meters (53,819 square feet) of the three-story archaeological masterpiece have been dug up to this point.
6 The Basilica Di San Clemente, Rome, Italy
The tiny Basilica built in 99 AD in honor of Pope St. Clement may not appear to be remarkable from the outside, but upon closer investigation, you will notice that it is an unadorned, multi-layered portrayal of Rome's religious history. The lower church, or lower Basilica, is located directly beneath the lavishly decorated 12th-century Basilica. This church dates to the fourth century and was constructed in part over what historians believe to have been a Roman nobleman's residence.
It not only has one of the largest collections of early medieval frescoes in Rome today, but it was also the location of the papal conclave in 1099. A building that was destroyed in the great fire of A.D. 64 is still standing beneath the lower Basilica, together with a Mithraeum that houses a number of Mithraic monuments.
5 Prasanna Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, India
The Prasanna Virupaksha Temple, also known as the Underground Shiva Temple, was buried for more than 400 years before it was unearthed in the 1980s amid the fascinating remains of Hampi, a World Heritage Site. The temple, which resembles the temples on Hermakuta Hill in design and arrangement and is thought to have been used by the royal family for private rites, has a number of carvings, sculptures, and murals.
The enormous inner sanctuary features a striking hall with pillars and exquisitely carved columns that actually reach the roof. Despite excavations and ongoing efforts to conserve the site, the flooring of the hall and the inner sanctuary are still submerged.
4 Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, Island Of Malta
The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is the only known prehistoric underground structure in the world, and it was built approximately 2500 B.C. Many people think it began as a refuge, but it was also a necropolis, and thousands of human bones have been found inside its enigmatic rooms. The Oracle Room, a carved hole in the wall that, if someone talks into it, creates an echo that reverberates throughout the Hypogeum, is one of its most notable features.
Many believe the hole played a significant role in the ancients' rites because several smaller chambers throughout its three levels gather up these echoes and transform the reverberations into something that sounds a lot like a heartbeat. Other characteristics include its unusual alignment with the equinoctial sun, enormous stone carvings like to those at Stonehenge and Baalbek, and an intricately painted ceiling with ocher spirals.
3 Mausoleum Of Qin Shi Huang, Xi’an, China
The first Qin emperor of China is interred in the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, which dates back 2,200 years. Many Westerners are unaware that the mausoleum is actually China's most elaborate tomb complex because it is most well-known for its partially unearthed Terracotta Army, which is located to the north and south of the mound. The four-layered complex has a subterranean palace, an inner city, an outside city, and several auxiliary structures and tombs.
The 600 square meter (6,500 square foot) underground phenomena took more than 700,000 workers more than 38 years to construct, and in the forty years archaeologists have been excavating the site, they have only just begun to scratch the surface. Even though excavation of the central tomb holding the underground palace has not yet been authorized, we know from historical documents that it represented the emperor's actual residence while he was alive and that it takes up more than two-thirds of the inner city.
2 Tomb Of Seti I, Abydos, Egypt
The longest and deepest tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings is the Tomb of Seti I. Its magnificent reliefs, vibrant murals, and finely carved column showing Seti I and the goddess Hathor make it the first tomb to be artistically embellished and decorated. In fact, the tomb's decoration extended over every room, roof, and hallway, setting the standard for future kings' tombs. Unfortunately, because of moisture changes brought on by excavations in the 1950s and 1960s, many of the tomb's walls have cracked or crumbled, and it is now largely off limits to visitors.
1 The Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey
Although its name might lead one to believe otherwise, the Basilica Cistern is much more than just an old water storage facility. It was replaced in the third and fourth century with a splendid temple surrounded by lush gardens. Emperor Justinian had 7,000 slaves reconstruct the ancient building, which was 9,800 square meters (105,500 square feet) in size, on the exact same site after it was destroyed by fire. It is a wonder to behold and is also referred to as the Sunken Palace.
You can access the 336 carved marble columns that support the Cistern's arched roof by descending a flight of stone steps. Each of these columns is 9 meters (30 feet) tall and has intricate engravings. When it was in use, the Cistern provided water to the First Hill's structures, notably the Great Palace of Constantinople, and it still does so today. Only a few feet of water are present today. It has served as the focus of a number of movies, books, and most recently, a video game.
History of ancient Egypt: Mastaba, the first Pyramids
The mastaba is a style of ancient Egyptian tomb with a rectangular base, a flat roof, and sloping side walls made of stone or adobe bricks (mud from the Nile River). In ancient Egyptian, the mastaba was known as the "house of stability" or "house of eternity."
During the Archaic Period (Early Dynastic Period) and the Old Kingdom in Egypt, these structures served as the final resting places for numerous ancient Egyptian figures.
Mastabas were still used for various characters for more than a thousand years after the Old Kingdom, but pyramids were starting to be employed for pharaoh burials.
Location
Since the tombs needed to be placed far from the Nile floods, their location was crucial. They had to be where the dead started their journey to the afterlife—in the desert, west of the river, where the sun sank. They called the spirits of the dead "western" because they believed that the gateway to the afterlife, or Duat, lay to the west.
Construction features
Following Imhotep's construction of the stone Saqqara burial complex for pharaoh Djoser, mastabas began to be constructed originally with adobes (mud bricks) and then with stone. During the third dynasty, mastabas were common among the pharaohs and their principal wives.
Mastaba of Shepseskaf
Early graves
The earliest were adobe-walled holes sunk into the earth and separated into a number of chambers. The deceased were to be buried in the center chamber, which held their funeral attire and other items for the afterlife.
The Mastaba
There are two levels to this construction: an upper level with a chapel that resembled the deceased's home and was used by family members to leave offerings, and a lower level with the burial chamber, which was reached by means of long vertical shafts that were shut after the mummy was deposited. One or more "false doors" with relief decorations might be seen in the eastern part, which was meant to represent the spirit.
The most opulent had many chambers and serdabs that were lavishly adorned.
Interior of the mastaba of Idou, Giza
Saite mastabas
Mastabas lost their original shape during the Saite period (twenty-sixth dynasty) of ancient Egypt. They had no underground chamber and were just plain mud-brick structures built above the ground.
The mastabas at this time occasionally housed a family pantheon, stacking several tombs on top of one another and providing an external staircase to access the uppermost ones.
To shield the dead from the flood's dampness, Lower Egypt frequently used this odd arrangement.
In Egypt, there are countless mastaba structures, many of which include internal chapels with lovely wall murals. These paintings are a great source of information on modern living, in contrast to the Pyramid texts, which exclusively included formulas for the afterlife.
The mastabas were a step in the evolution of the Egyptian pyramids. Imhotep, the architect, decided to add five additional mastaba structures, whose bases are increasingly thinner, on top of the oldest, the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, which was initially intended to be a single mastaba.
Unspeakable Events Women Went Through In The Dark Ages
From restrictive rights to restrictive clothing, things for women haven't always been bright and sunny, especially not in the Dark Ages. Today we are exploring the unspeakable events that women went through in the dark ages. We delve into the harsh realities of life for women during this time, including their lack of rights, the constant fear, and the horrors they faced during childbirth. Through research and historical accounts, we shed light on the unsettling things women faced, and the incredible strength and resilience they displayed in the face of such adversity. Join us in today’s video as we talk about some of the Unspeakable Events Women Went Through In The Dark Ages!
The largest-ever dinosaur fossil is a long-necked one
The remains of a massive new species of long-necked herbivorous dinosaur were found in Patagonia by Argentine paleontologists, who claim the creature is one of the biggest ever found.
The discovery at the Pueblo Blanco Nature Reserve was made by researchers in 2018, and was announced on Thursday, May 16, 2023. The van transporting the dinosaur's bones to a laboratory in Buenos Aires toppled due to the size of the bones, but no one was hurt, and the dinosaur's remains were unharmed.
The dinosaur was given the name "Chucarosaurus Diripienda," which means hard-boiled and scrambled, by scientists since it had turned around and survived the crash, according to paleontologist Nicolas Chimento.
The largest dinosaur ever found in the province of Rio Negro, the Chucarosaurus weighs 50 tonnes and is 30 meters in length. It would have coexisted with fish, sea turtles, and predators throughout the Late Cretaceous period.
The 1.90-meter-long femur bone of the Chucarosaurus was divided into three segments, each of which weighed more than 100 kilograms and needed at least three people to pick it up, according to researchers.
The largest plant-eating dinosaurs yet unearthed, including the gigantic Patagotitan mayorum, lived in Patagonia, but scientists are still unsure of why certain species there grew so quickly and, in some cases, did not stop expanding throughout their lifetimes.
Although the sauropod Chucarosaurus equaled other Patagonian giants in height and weight, the traits of its hips, forelimbs, and hindlimbs suggested it was more slender and graceful. This was according to paleontologist Matias Motta.
Argentina, which ranks among the top three countries in the world for research and discoveries, along with China and the United States, has identified about 140 dinosaur species.
Researchers from the Azara Foundation, the National Research Council Conicet, and the Bernardino Rivadavia Museum of Natural Sciences conducted the study with funding from the National Geographic Society.
The Most Disturbing Dinosaur Comic
Dinosaurs Attack is a strange, but unique franchise that started off as trading cards but eventually expanded to a full-on comic. What makes this series unique is the sheer amount of violence it's known for, but despite this, it actually has a bit of a story to it.
The Secrets of the Ancient Americas
The Ancient Americas are home to some of the world's most fascinating and mysterious civilizations. From the Maya and Aztecs of Mexico to the Inca of Peru, the continent is filled with rich history and culture waiting to be uncovered.
How Dogs Changed the Entire Human History?
Discover the fascinating history and evolution of dogs in this mini-documentary. From their domestication over 15,000 years ago to their modern roles as therapy dogs and service animals, dogs have been an integral part of human history. Explore their involvement in warfare and medicine, and the selective breeding that resulted in the wide variety of breeds we see today.
Top 4 Unexplained Mysteries That Continue to Baffle the World
Explore the most perplexing enigmas in history with our video, "Top 4 Unexplained Mysteries That Continue to Baffle the World!" From ancient monuments to unsolved murders, we delve into the unknown and the unexplained, leaving no stone unturned.
12 Most Incredible Things Found Frozen in Ice
Ice is nature's great preservative. When we buy groceries, we put them in the freezer because we know they'll last longer when they've been frozen over. We've found shipwrecks, fossils, and animal remains preserved in ice for thousands of years, almost perfectly protected from the passing of time. With cryogenic freezing, it's possible that human beings will one day be able to sit out eternity! That's for the future, though - right now, we have this fantastic video of incredible things that have been found in ice.
