Ancient Mysteries - The Puzzles of Our Past

The term “ancient mysteries” refers to any of the unsolved archaeological puzzles that have confounded generations of historians. These include technologically impossible monuments, inexplicable primary accounts, and intriguing tales of lost civilizations. Most of these mysteries remain elusive because of the lack of available evidence from their original time periods. Without such data, researchers are left to speculate on such topics as who built the statues on Easter Island or why the Mayan civilization collapsed so suddenly. Although many of these puzzles may never be solved, researchers from every corner of the globe and every academic discipline continue to try and explain some of our world’s oldest mysteries.

Perhaps the oldest ancient mysteries are those that relate to the evolution of human kind. Complicated findings in this area range far beyond the natural selection versus intelligent design debate. Gaps and additions in the evolutionary chain are far more common than most people realize. From crystal skulls to dwarfs and giants, numerous discovers of have left researchers stumped. Some people believe these odd skeletal remains are evidence of extraterrestrial visitation. Others see them as evidence for other human ancestral species, and still others see them as simply rare mutations or manifestations of disease.

The ancient mysteries for which we possess the most evidence are monumental structures like Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Since these structures still exist, it is possible for researchers to study them first-hand. These feats of engineering seem too complex for ancient civilizations to have constructed. Subsequently, a wide range of theories have developed to explain their existence. There are many who take a rational approach and try and recreate these engineering marvels with endless calculations and models. Others construct more imaginative theories ranging from godly interventions to extraterrestrial life.

Another category of ancient mysteries relates to exploration and journeys. Intriguing accounts in this category vary widely. The most popularized mystery is the debate over who truly “discovered” the Americas. Although history grants this honor to Christopher Columbus, evidence suggests much earlier Scandinavian travelers reached the Atlantic coast. There are also theories that Asian travelers were the first to step on American soil. Another significant puzzle in this area is the existence of maps detailing the coastline of Antarctica centuries before it was discovered, and there are even stranger tales like that of the lost Roman army that allegedly turned up in China.

In recent years, a great deal of interest has revolved around yet another type of ancient mystery; advanced inventions potentially dating to thousands of years ago. For example, archaeologists have uncovered models from ancient Egypt that seem to depict airplanes, and some evidence points to the existence of a primitive computer in ancient Greece. There may even have been functioning electric batteries in the ancient Middle East, as findings from digs near Baghdad suggest. Unfortunately, this category is subject to great speculation as often only sparse accounts or broken models are available for research.

Finally, there is a fascinating category of puzzles dealing with tales of extinct civilizations. In some cases, liket hat of the Mayans, a society’s existence can be proven but their disappearance unexplained. Other stories, like the legendary discussions of Atlantis or the myth of the Amazon warriors, lack tangible evidence for support. Instead, they are based off ancient accounts, like that of Plato, which can seem rather convincing. The search for biblical locations is also included in this category. The actual location of such places as Mount Ararat, upon which Noah’s ark landed, and the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah remain elusive.

These categories outline just a few of the countless puzzles we have yet to solve. The study of ancient mysteries has consumed many scholars over the centuries. However, few definitive conclusions have been reached. In fact, for most mysteries, it seems the more research that is conducted, the more complicated the debate becomes. Perhaps as technologies and research methods improve, a more definitive conclusion can be reached. One thing, though, is certain; the best minds around the world will not give up their quest to solve even one of these ancient intrigues.