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Join us on an extraordinary journey as we explore two captivating mysteries. Discover the enigmatic place where gravity seems to play hide and seek, defying our understanding of the laws of physics. Then, witness the incredible discovery of a long-lost tunnel that leads to Cleopatra's fabled tomb. Prepare to be amazed as we unravel the secrets of these intriguing phenomena.
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00:01In November 1922, a boy walked through the desert mountains of Egypt
00:07and discovered some ancient steps carved into the rock.
00:12Subsequently, this find became one of the world's largest and most significant archaeological discoveries.
00:20This step was part of Tutankhamen's untouched tomb.
00:24Archaeologists found about 5,000 ancient objects, including jewelry, fabrics, painted vases, and funeral masks.
00:32You've probably seen one of them. It has become one of the most recognizable attributes of ancient Egypt.
00:38More than a hundred years have passed since then, and now humanity has finally become close to another large-scale
00:43discovery, the tomb of Cleopatra.
00:47This queen was the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, who sat on the throne from 51
00:53to 30 BCE.
00:56There are many ancient records about Cleopatra, her reign, and her unusual personality,
01:02but until now, no one has discovered the secrets about her passing away in the burial place.
01:08So, one archaeologist, Dr. Kathleen Martinez, has been studying ancient records and temples around Alexandria for decades
01:16and concluded that the tomb of the queen should be located under the ancient city of Taposiris Magna, founded in
01:23280 BCE.
01:26It was a big city on the northern coast of Egypt, where tens of thousands of people were engaged in
01:31trade and industry.
01:32And it seems that Dr. Martinez's guesses turned out to be correct.
01:38She and a group of archaeologists have discovered a secret underground tunnel near Alexandria, with a length of about 0
01:44.8 miles.
01:46It was cut into the rock under Taposiris Magna's temple.
01:50During further excavations, they found many things that indicate Cleopatra's tomb lies in the tunnel's depths.
01:56It's also possible that she is buried there together with the Roman commander, Mark Antony.
02:02According to ancient records, Cleopatra and Mark Antony loved each other, and together opposed the Roman Senate, which declared Antony
02:09a traitor.
02:10The fact that natural disasters have occurred on the territory of Taposiris Magna for thousands of years can complicate the
02:17excavations.
02:18Earthquakes and floods destroyed the city and possibly flooded its underground tunnels.
02:24But archaeologists hope the ancient tomb remains untouched, and that it hides many treasures and records about the royal life
02:32of ancient Egypt during the reign of the last dynasty.
02:35There's a chance that excavations will go underwater and in the mud.
02:39This will require much time and funding, but archaeologists are sure it's worth it.
02:44Anyway, it's too early to say that Cleopatra is really buried there, but scientists have found many things in the
02:50tunnel that confirm this, including clay pots, dozens of coins with the image of Cleopatra and Alexander the Great, as
02:58well as a bust with the image of the Egyptian queen.
03:02Cleopatra is still one of the most popular personalities in Egypt, on an equal footing with Ramesses III and Tutankhamun.
03:10She inspired many films, paintings, and books, but what made her so popular?
03:15She became famous for her inconsistency.
03:19She was a beautiful, intelligent ruler who pulled Egypt out of the crisis and made it a prosperous power.
03:26Medieval Arabic texts say she knew chemistry, mathematics, and philosophy, and may have written several scientific books.
03:34She knew several languages and had excellent diplomatic skills.
03:39At the same time, there are many legends that she was a femme fatale who drove many men crazy.
03:44However, there's no evidence that her beauty was incomparable.
03:49The image of a stunning model was created by Hollywood when it made several films where famous actresses performed the
03:56role of Cleopatra.
03:58And the Roman emperor Octavian, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, specially created the image of Cleopatra as an insidious
04:06seductress because he was her enemy.
04:09Even though she was born in Egypt, Cleopatra wasn't an Egyptian.
04:12Her ancestors were Greeks, among whom was one of the generals of Alexander the Great.
04:18However, the people of Egypt loved her.
04:20She learned the language and was very sensitive to the traditions of this country.
04:25She knew the history, mentality, and customs of ancient Egypt well.
04:30She raised the level of its economy and strengthened its status as a world power.
04:34Much of this was made possible thanks to her cunning and impressiveness.
04:38She loved theatrical performances and lavish celebrations.
04:42She knew how to surprise people and put on a show.
04:46But behind the exterior image of a luxury lover was an intelligent and calculating ruler.
04:52Ancient Egypt was a rich, luxurious country, and Cleopatra did everything to increase its wealth and strengthen its position in
04:59the international arena.
05:01For example, she was once in conflict with her brother, Ptolemy XIII thought.
05:06The queen knew that she wouldn't be able to resist him, so she decided to attract Julius Caesar to their
05:11side.
05:12The Roman emperor arrived in Alexandria, where Cleopatra wanted to meet him.
05:16But Ptolemy knew about her plans and was about to prevent her from coming to Caesar.
05:44After some time, she impressed another influential Roman for diplomatic purposes.
05:50She arrived to meet Mark Antony on a golden barge with purple sails and silver oars.
05:55Cleopatra was dressed in the image of Aphrodite and sat under a magnificent canopy.
06:00Her servants dressed like cupids and were blowing her fan and burning incense.
06:04But Cleopatra created such a show for a reason.
06:07She knew that Antony revered Greek mythology and considered himself the embodiment of Dionysus.
06:14As a result, he was so impressed with this woman that he ended up marrying her.
06:18However, Cleopatra defended her crown, strengthened her alliance with Rome, and bore Antony three children.
06:25In Egypt, they threw big parties and enjoyed wealth with power.
06:30However, the relationship of a high-ranking official with the Egyptian queen caused a scandal in Rome.
06:36Octavian was Antony's primary opponent in the struggle for power,
06:39so he exploited the situation to darken the competitor's reputation.
06:42He used propaganda to make Cleopatra an insidious seductress in the eyes of Roman citizens.
06:47He accused Antony of succumbing to her charms.
06:50The Roman Senate supported Octavian and declared Cleopatra an enemy.
06:55In 33 BCE, this conflict reached a high point when Antony's navy clashed with Octavian's fleet.
07:02The latter won and forced his enemy to flee to Egypt with Cleopatra.
07:07According to some records, they took refuge near Alexandria.
07:11Pursued by the Romans, they hid in one of Cleopatra's palaces and met their end.
07:16Some legends say that Cleopatra was an expert in poisons.
07:19She provoked a venomous snake, a viper or an Egyptian cobra, to bite her.
07:24Also, according to another legend, she pricked herself with a poisonous needle.
07:29There's a theory that Cleopatra always carried an ampule with poison inside her hairbrush.
07:34And when she was cornered, she soaked the needle with this poison and pricked herself.
07:40None of this can be said for sure.
07:42Scientists are still trying to find out the truth.
07:44Perhaps when they reach Cleopatra's tomb, the world will get more answers about her tragic fate.
07:49She is considered the last ruler of Egypt.
07:52After her passing, Octavian plundered her palaces and temples and returned to Rome,
07:57where he became the main emperor.
07:59He successfully ruled the country and expanded its borders.
08:02His reign ended when he turned 75.
08:05World history would have looked different if Cleopatra and Mark Antony hadn't lost that naval battle.
08:11By the way, did you know that more time has passed between Cleopatra's reign and Neil Armstrong's flight to the
08:17moon
08:17than between the reign of the Egyptian queen and the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza?
08:24Armstrong took a step on the Earth's satellite in 1969, 2038 years after the birth of Cleopatra.
08:31And the construction of the pyramid took place in 2560 BCE.
08:37Imagine how long the history of ancient Egypt is.
08:41Cleopatra is closer to us in time than to the pyramids.
08:45I'm about to introduce you to a place where the laws of physics take a vacation.
08:50Welcome to the mystery spot where you can witness all kinds of implausible things that will leave you scratching your
08:55head in disbelief.
08:56Don't worry. It's not sorcery or witchcraft.
08:59It's just some clever optical illusions that mess with your brain and make you question reality.
09:05Back in the day when the Great Depression was hitting hard, people needed some fun distractions.
09:10That's how the entertainment industry gave birth to the concept of mystery spots.
09:15One of the most famous mystery spots is the one near Santa Cruz, California.
09:19The name is all intrigue and mystique, isn't it?
09:23Once you step inside, you'll see people standing upright on a slanted floor or at impossible angles on a flat
09:29surface.
09:30You'll see a ball rolling up a ramp, defying gravity and logic.
09:33It's like being in a funhouse but without creepy clowns.
09:36The site is known for its gravity-defying demonstrations, which appear to bend the laws of physics,
09:41both on the short uphill walk and inside the wooden building on the site.
09:47Misperceptions of the height and orientation of objects occur here.
09:51These visual illusions include balls rolling uphill and people leaning farther than normally possible without falling down.
09:58Psychologists at Berkeley state that all of the misperceptions stem from the simple fact that the house is slanted at
10:04a 20-degree angle.
10:06The next stop is again in the USA, but this time at Hoover Dam in Nevada.
10:11Here gravity seems to play with us too.
10:14Try this experiment if you ever happen to go there.
10:17Pour water from a bottle over the dam.
10:19You will witness that instead of going down, the water will start flowing upward.
10:24The reason behind this is a very powerful updraft that the structure of the dam creates.
10:29In other words, the water gets carried upward by the wind.
10:34This trick is not unique to the dam, as there's a reverse waterfall in the Faroe Islands.
10:39It occurs due to a wild weather phenomenon known as an inverted waterfall.
10:44Imagine a gigantic whirlwind of ocean spray swirling up a steep, 1,542-foot-high rocky cliff.
10:53So how does this crazy phenomenon happen, you ask?
10:55Well, it's all thanks to a spiral column of air that rotates near high and steep cliffs, creating a mini
11:02-tornado effect.
11:03And when the wind hits the edge of the cliff, it gets even stronger and picks up coastal water,
11:08which then splashes up the cliff and creates a massive water and wind funnel.
11:12Apparently, these inverted waterfalls can happen in other places, too, like on the cliffs of Mohair in Ireland,
11:18the mountains of Iceland, and even in the Waipuhia Falls of Hawaii.
11:23Talk about Mother Nature showing off her skills.
11:27Ah, magnetic hill in Loddick, India?
11:30The ultimate mind-bending road trip destination?
11:33Here, you can watch objects and cars roll uphill, like they're stuck in some kind of magnetic vortex.
11:39It's an optical illusion that occurs thanks to the sneaky slopes and general layout of the area.
11:44The road might look like it's going uphill, but it's actually a downhill road in disguise,
11:50playing tricks on your brain like a mischievous magician.
11:53You might also see your car moving by itself in the neutral gear.
11:56No, your car isn't haunted. It's just basic physics at work.
11:59Even when the engine is off, the wheels can still turn, thanks to momentum and the subtle slope of the
12:04road.
12:06Mount Aragats has a similar story to the magnetic hill of India.
12:09This one, too, is like a magnet for thrill-seekers and car enthusiasts.
12:13It's located on the border between Turkey and Armenia.
12:16It has a reputation for making cars defy gravity.
12:19People from all over the world visit this mountain to witness the incredible spectacle,
12:22where a car parked on the slope seems to roll uphill all by itself without any driver behind the wheel.
12:29There's a nearby river that flows uphill, too.
12:31People who've visited this site claim that it's easier to go up than down there.
12:36Number six on the list is the Golden Boulder from Myanmar.
12:40The rock looks like it's about to tumble down the hill at any moment.
12:43But it's not going anywhere.
12:45It's been sitting there for over 2,500 years.
12:48The rock is the centerpiece of a stunning pagoda that sits on top of it,
12:52towering 49 feet above the ground.
12:54According to legend, the rock is held in place by none other than a strand of Buddha's hair.
12:59It's no wonder that this place is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Myanmar.
13:04The rock was chosen by a celestial king who was impressed by a Buddhist monk's incredible asceticism.
13:10So, he used his supernatural powers to carefully place the rock in its current spot,
13:14where it looked like the monk's head.
13:16If that's not enough, it's said that only a woman can move the boulder.
13:21That's why women aren't allowed to touch it.
13:24So, if you're up for an adventure, head over to this magnificent rock and pagoda
13:29and witness this gravity-defying feat for yourself.
13:33Back to the U.S.
13:35Oregon Vortex is located on Sardine Creek, Oregon.
13:38It's a tourist attraction that's been around since 1930.
13:41The owners of the attraction claim that it's some paranormal activity,
13:45but it's pretty obvious some clever optical illusions are involved.
13:48Legend has it that even before the attraction was built,
13:52Native Americans in the area warned that this land was forbidden,
13:55and horses refused to go there.
13:57But then, some gold miners built an assay office there in 1904,
14:01and the building ended up sliding to a wonky angle.
14:06Now, picture this.
14:07You're in a cozy spot, away from city light pollution,
14:11staring up at billions of stars putting on a sparkling show above you.
14:14But if you're lucky enough to be in Marfa, Texas,
14:17you'll get a little something extra.
14:20Mysterious orbs decide to join in on the fun,
14:22shining bright like a diamond,
14:24and they've been doing it for over a hundred years.
14:27But what are these glowing orbs called Marfa lights?
14:30Well, everyone has their own theories.
14:33Some people think they're just car lights from the nearby highway,
14:36but that's no fun.
14:37Others believe that these orbs are actually sentient beings
14:40trying to convey some sort of important message to us,
14:43mere mortals.
14:46Imagine standing at the edge of a stunning lake,
14:49admiring the picturesque view of a majestic volcano.
14:54Suddenly, you hear a loud boom,
14:56and flames shoot up into the air like a firework show gone wild.
15:00But don't worry.
15:01It's not an eruption.
15:03It's just the Kawa'ijin lake and volcano doing its thing.
15:06This fiery spectacle is caused by a natural phenomenon
15:09where sulfuric gases burst through the rocks
15:12and ignite upon contact with the outside air.
15:15The result?
15:16Flames that soar up to 16 feet in height,
15:19burning blue like the coolest neon lights you've ever seen.
15:22And if that's not enough,
15:24the liquid sulfur that streams down the mountain
15:27looks like a molten river of electric blue lava.
15:30It's equal parts terrifying and breathtaking,
15:33and a sight you won't soon forget.
15:36Speaking of unforgettable things,
15:38the Rachat structure in Mauritania
15:39has been an eye-catching enigma for astronauts
15:42since the dawn of the NASA space program.
15:44This circular feature in Earth's crust
15:46was created by a raised dome that was eroded over time,
15:50revealing the original flat rock layers.
15:52As you move from the center of the structure outward,
15:55you travel back in time
15:56as the older rock layers are exposed in the middle.
15:59This geological phenomenon is made up of
16:02sedimentary and igneous rocks
16:04and measures 28 miles across.
16:06From space, you can see several faults
16:08where the rock layers have shifted
16:10and have been pulled apart.
16:12The Rachat structure is situated
16:13in the heart of the Sahara Desert.
16:15There you go.
16:16This is our version of the top 10.
16:19Would you add something else to this list?
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