Archaeology isn't always the most interesting of subjects; not until there is some sort of jaw-dropping type of discovery, that is. The time they discovered the legendary lost civilization of the Monkey God, for instance. What we find of past civilizations, cultures and cities is astounding and eye-opening. It helps paint a much clearer picture of the world that existed before our time, and sometimes the history books just do not have it right. Here are some archaeological finds you may never have read about in history class.
1. The Unfinished Obelisk.
This obelisk was carved directly from bedrock, but after cracks appeared in the granite it was abandoned.
2. Stone Age Tunnels.
This massive network of underground tunnels is all man-made from the Stone Age. How were they able to create and build such an extensive system?
3. Costa Rica's Stone Spheres.
Hundreds of granodiorite balls are scattered across Costa Rica. The balls range from three or four centimeters to three meters in diameter. Archaeologists have never been able to explain them!
4. The Voynich Manuscript.
This manuscript is a book full of writings, illustrations and diagrams that are in a language that is still unknown. The entire manuscript is a mystery, right down to the plants depicted.
5. The Mount Owen Moa.
In the 1980s a group of researchers descended into the caves of Mount Owen in New Zealand. While exploring, they happened upon a pile of bones and a large claw. The remains were so well-preserved that they were unsure of how recent the remains were. In the end it was discovered to be a 3000-year-old claw of an upland moa, a flightless bird that is now extinct.
6. Göbekli Tepe.
This site is found at the top of a mountain ridge in Turkey. This site helped change the understanding of a crucial stage in the development of human society. As the temple was built prior to the city, it shows religion was highly valued.
7. L'Anse aux Meadows.
Located in Newfoundland, Canada, this 1000-year-old site shows viking settlements on North America that far predate Columbus.
8. Mohenjo-daro.
Found in Sindh, Pakistan, this site was one of the world's earliest major urban settlements. Showing signs of city planning and social organization, the area held an estimated population of 40,000 and included a draining system.
9. Yonaguni Monument.
This massive underwater structure can be found off the coast of Yonaguni, Japan. Containing flat edges and 90° angles, there is still debate as to whether the site is natural or man-made formations.
10. The Longyou Grottoes.
These large artificial caves found in China are carved from siltstone and their origins are still a mystery. They are thought to date to a period before the Qin Dynasty in 212 BCE; however, there is no sign of them in any of the history.
11. The Gate of the Sun.
Located in Bolivia and standing at 13,000 feet, the area is claimed to be the cradle of the first humans on Earth. The gate is decorated in engravings that are believed to represent astronomical and/or astrological significance.
12. Saksaywaman.
On the outskirts of Peru lies this fortress of polished dry stones and boulders cut to fit together tightly without mortar. In fact, they fit so tightly that not even a sheet of paper is able to penetrate them.
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