100 Most Important Archaeological Discoveries That Shocked Scientists

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Ready to have your mind blown? Dive into the 100 most jaw-dropping archaeological discoveries that have left scientists speechless! From ancient mummies and mysterious tunnels to lost cities and wild legends, we cover it all. Join us for a whirlwind tour through history's wildest secrets. Don't forget to subscribe for more epic journeys, and comment below with your favorite discovery! #history #archaeology #ancient #mystery #science  👉 This channel was created in collaboration with https://www.youtube.com/@kirtop-100samyh  0:00:00 - Stunning Archaeological Discoveries Worldwide 0:04:03 - Unraveling Ancient Mysteries and Mummies 0:11:07 - Technologies, Rituals, and Ancient Innovations 0:19:53 - Early Civilizations and Unsolved Archaeological Riddles 0:26:56 - Legends, Lost Civilizations, and Ancient Wonders 0:34:35 - Marvels of Engineering and Surprises in Ancient Burials 0:41:38 - Daily Life, Rare Artefacts, and Unexplained Findings 0:53:40 - Ancient Legends, Myths, and Enduring Archaeological Questions  We're now available on Spotify! Listen now https://open.spotify.com/show/03446rMw7NEQKZvD764T3X

Transcript

00:00:00I'm Curatop, and these are the 100 most important archaeological discoveries that stunned scientists.

00:00:09The Tashwanath Mummy

00:00:11This is Africa's oldest mummy in Libya at the UN Mohugiag archaeological site.

00:00:17Archaeologists discovered unique mummies.

00:00:19After conducting a great deal of research, scientists stated that the mummy is 5,400 to 5,600 years old.

00:00:26Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they are older than any previously found in neighboring Egypt.

00:00:32The discovery was made by Professor Fabrizio Mori in 1958.

00:00:37The mummy of a three-year-old child was found in a fetal position.

00:00:41The embalmed body was carefully wrapped in leaves and covered with an antelope hide.

00:00:45In place of internal organs, there were some kind of herbs inside the body.

00:00:49Scientists are still studying the mixture of herbs to understand how the body was able to be preserved

00:00:54for almost 6,000 years after the discovery of this mummy.

00:00:58Archaeologists are certain that the first mummies on the continent appeared definitely not in Egypt.

00:01:03The Egyptians used mummification techniques borrowed from other peoples.

00:01:076,000 year old human DNA

00:01:09In the city of Uchi, China, archaeologists discovered the DNA of a human who lived here 6,000 years ago.

00:01:19These molecules were found in two tombs associated with the Majaban culture of the Middle Neolithic era.

00:01:24Until now, information about the inhabitants of this region had been limited.

00:01:28However, thanks to the new discoveries, it became known that the first humans settled in Uchi at least 6,000

00:01:34years ago.

00:01:35During the research, which began in April 2022, more than 100 traces of ancient human activity were found, including two

00:01:43tombs containing DNA.

00:01:46The pink sarcophagus of the treasure keeper?

00:01:50A dream find.

00:01:51That is exactly what archaeologists called the sarcophagus they managed to find near Cairo.

00:01:56As is well known, sarcophagi were used to bury very important people of ancient Egypt.

00:02:01I think the ancient Egyptians buried a high-ranking noble 3,300 years ago,

00:02:06clearly not so that we could be retrieving him from Germany now, the tomb, and study him using modern equipment.

00:02:12How else are we supposed to study our ancestors' history if the papyri don't have nearly all the information about

00:02:18the pharaoh's lives?

00:02:19Scientists have already determined that the pink sarcophagus belonged to Pita Emuia,

00:02:24who served as the head of the treasury under Rameses the Great.

00:02:27On all sides, the sarcophagus is decorated with hieroglyphs and various titles.

00:02:31It lay at a depth of 10 meters for more than 3,000 years, and today it looks just like

00:02:36it did on day one.

00:02:37Historians have little data about who ruled Egypt after Tutankhamun, which makes every find important.

00:02:44The pink sarcophagus indicates that the man buried inside was close to the king

00:02:48and played a very important role in the government administration of that era.

00:02:53To put it simply in modern terms, Pita Emuia would be the minister of finance today.

00:02:59To reach the tomb, archaeologists had to dig through and haul away tons of sand.

00:03:04And that was only the tomb's first level, located right next to the pyramid of King Unas.

00:03:09Beneath the sand they uncovered stone masonry, and to descend further, to the tomb's second level,

00:03:14that masonry had to be reinforced.

00:03:16Through a small opening in the floor, they descended to the tomb's second level,

00:03:20which is where the sarcophagus was located.

00:03:22The archaeologists lowered themselves down in a metal basket,

00:03:25raising and lowering it by their own strength.

00:03:27You'd think with modern technology in the 21st century,

00:03:31excavations wouldn't still have to be done the exact same way they were 200 years ago.

00:03:35The sarcophagus was in good condition, but the broken lid indicated the presence of a king there.

00:03:41Usually, sarcophagi were reused to rebury different people,

00:03:44but in our case, the sarcophagus belonged to its original owner,

00:03:48as confirmed by the hieroglyphs and titles found on it.

00:03:51Professor L. Aguizzi's team is now thoroughly studying the sarcophagus

00:03:55to uncover the entire life of Pita Emuia,

00:03:57and around the same time, people in the Mariana Islands were luring octopuses,

00:04:02winged machines of the Indians.

00:04:05Earlier, I already mentioned that many regional artifacts get lost on black markets

00:04:10right after being discovered, or are passed from hand to hand.

00:04:14In this case, their provenance is lost,

00:04:16after which it becomes difficult to establish the origin of these objects,

00:04:20the place where they were found, and the people to whom they belonged.

00:04:23In our case, we will be talking about golden birds,

00:04:27that were found in the burials of the Tairona tribe.

00:04:30Scientists are not entirely sure who owned these winged machines.

00:04:34According to the archaeologists' logic, whatever is found in a burial site belongs to that people,

00:04:39but in this case, there is an opinion that the Tairona tribe found,

00:04:43or accidentally dug up these birds somewhere long ago,

00:04:46after which they gave these objects a certain symbolism.

00:04:48The Tairona were a highly developed civilization,

00:04:52that is, until the Spaniards arrived and slaughtered everyone,

00:04:55so many cultures were wiped out by those conquerors,

00:04:57but let's not dwell on the negative.

00:04:59The Tairona Indian tribe had no known connection to UFOs,

00:05:03more precisely, before the discovery of these birds.

00:05:06There were no other symbols, tools or clothing in their culture that were similar in type.

00:05:11What I mean is, that the Indians' winged machines found in these burials

00:05:15have no connection to their culture whatsoever.

00:05:18These golden figurines belong to another civilization of that era,

00:05:22or perhaps an even older one.

00:05:24Honestly, it's hard to even tell what these shiny figurines look more like,

00:05:28a bird or an airplane.

00:05:29But in any case, this tribe had no bird cult, let alone airplanes.

00:05:34And the delta wings are strange even to Europeans.

00:05:37Such wings have been used for less than 100 years in jet military aircraft,

00:05:40and it's definitely unlikely something like that was used 500 years ago.

00:05:44Perhaps these are figurines of some deities, but that also raises questions.

00:05:50Usually deities always become more human-like over time.

00:05:53But here, the figurines look very strange,

00:05:55and have absolutely nothing in common with a human.

00:05:57How would you explain this artifact?

00:06:01I'm sure there are people among you who can explain the origin,

00:06:04and most importantly, the purpose of these objects.

00:06:07And after you share your thoughts, I'll tell you about the next mysterious find.

00:06:13Unraveling the Mysteries of Mass Death

00:06:15During excavations in the ancient city of Aswan on the Nile,

00:06:19archaeologists discovered 30 tombs dating back to the Greco-Roman period.

00:06:23These burials, found on a hill, contained the mummies of children and parents,

00:06:28coffins, papier-mâché masks, amphorae with a pattern of grape leaves, and offering tables.

00:06:34Ancient oil lamps left behind by mourners were also found.

00:06:37The necropolis is unique for its terraced layout.

00:06:39Ten levels of tombs are built into the hill, one above the other,

00:06:43setting it apart from the usual two- or three-tiered Egyptian burial sites.

00:06:47This location was used for about 900 years, starting from the 6th century BC until the 3rd century AD,

00:06:54when Egypt was ruled by the Persians, the Ptolemaic dynasty.

00:06:58Research showed that between 30 and 40 of the mummies belonged to newborns and children under 2 years old.

00:07:04Using X-rays, Connecticut scans and DNA analysis,

00:07:08archaeologists and doctors from the University Hospital in Aswan found that the main causes of death were anemia and infectious

00:07:14diseases,

00:07:14even among the wealthy.

00:07:16Studying the spine of one mummy confirmed the presence of tuberculosis,

00:07:21which could wipe out entire families.

00:07:23The Fat Lady of Saliagos

00:07:25The Fat Lady of Saliagos

00:07:28represents a unique testament to an ancient culture that flourished in the Cyclades during the Neolithic era.

00:07:35Its discovery revealed many secrets about the way of life,

00:07:38religious practices and artistic traditions of this ancient society.

00:07:42Saliagos, despite its small size, was of key importance in the early history of the Aegean region.

00:07:48Besides its role as an isthmus connecting Antiparos and Paros,

00:07:52it was a center of production and trade, as evidenced by finds of obsidian tools exceeding local needs.

00:07:58Ceramic vases discovered on the island provide insight into the design and style of the era.

00:08:04Their patterns and shapes reflect a creative approach that may have held religious or cultural significance for the inhabitants of

00:08:11Saliagos.

00:08:12Of all, the discovery on Saliagos provides invaluable insight into the ancient world of the Aegean region.

00:08:19The mermaid from India

00:08:20Few have heard of the archaeological complex Chandra Ketu Chandrakitugar in India,

00:08:26which is located about 35 kilometers from Kolkata.

00:08:30Chandra. Kolkata.

00:08:32Chandra Ketugar was a thriving port city engaged in international trade,

00:08:37where people lived from 400 BC to 1250 AD.

00:08:41Today, only the ruins of a 10th century brick Buddhist temple remain at this site.

00:08:45Interest in Chandra Ketu Chandrakitugar arose from numerous terracotta artifacts,

00:08:50dating back to the Shunga period, that is, from 200 to 100 BC.

00:08:55Most of them were stolen or taken abroad, and only a few fragments have been preserved in Indian museums.

00:09:01Although the complex was discovered in 1906,

00:09:03the archaeological survey of India under British control did not conduct excavations here.

00:09:08Many of the stolen items are now in museums around the world,

00:09:11such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

00:09:13Two terracotta plaques depict a mermaid, quite a rare motif in Indian culture.

00:09:18On one, the mermaid swims by a lake, holding something resembling a mirror or a flower.

00:09:23People on the shore gaze at her, as if she were a wonder.

00:09:26A great chieftain has arrived on a chariot to see this creature.

00:09:29On the other, the mermaid has been caught in a net by fishermen.

00:09:33People wave to her, and she responds to them, showing no fear.

00:09:36Examining these reliefs, I found myself wondering,

00:09:39could they be depicting ancient legends or real events that took place in Chandra Ketugar 2,200 years ago?

00:09:46Perhaps mermaids were not a figment of the imagination, but were real sea creatures in ancient times.

00:09:51Write in the comments below the video whether you believe in the existence of mermaids or something similar,

00:09:57because after all the depths of the seas and oceans remain unexplored to this day.

00:10:01Why were mummies hidden in caves?

00:10:05In caves in Lebanon, in 1991, archaeologists and cave specialists discovered a real treasure.

00:10:11Eight remarkably well-preserved mummies that are nearly eight centuries old.

00:10:16People might have once lived in this mysterious cave in the Khadisha Valley.

00:10:21Near the cave there was even an artificial reservoir,

00:10:23and the cave itself had two rooms where someone may have resided.

00:10:27The mummies found here belonged to the Maronite people, and were accordingly mummified in the cave.

00:10:33Unlike Egyptian mummies, no one embalmed the bodies here.

00:10:36Among them was a little girl, buried with her mother resting on her mother's left shoulder, as they still do

00:10:42in Lebanon today.

00:10:42Along with the mummies, many amazing artifacts were found.

00:10:46For instance, the little girl named Yasmine was dressed in three dresses, blue, beige and dark beige with silk embroidery.

00:10:54They even put a beautiful silk headband and jewelry on her.

00:10:57This amazing find in Lebanon isn't just a historical treasure.

00:11:01It's a mysterious tale of people who lived eight centuries ago and a secret we are only just beginning to

00:11:06uncover.

00:11:08Hand of Glory

00:11:10Ancient magicians and shamans surprise and amaze with their ingenuity.

00:11:14Their knowledge of human psychology is especially inspiring.

00:11:18After all, besides managing to create certain magical items, they also made people believe in their miraculous power.

00:11:25One such example is the Hand of Glory.

00:11:27The first mention of this terrifying contraption dates back to the 1600s, but that's only the first officially recorded mention.

00:11:35To create this magical item, one needed the Hand of a Hanged Criminal, a murderer.

00:11:40The most fascinating part is that I even have the recipe for making this creepy thing.

00:11:44Feel free to write it down, just in case you might need it too.

00:11:48The Hand must be cut from the body of a Hanged Criminal, pickled in salt and the urine of a

00:11:53man, a woman, a dog, a stallion and a mare.

00:11:56Then it must be smoked with herbs and hay for a month, hung on an oak tree for three nights

00:12:01in a row, and then hung on a church door for one night.

00:12:04And if during this time no fear drives you away, the Hand will be yours.

00:12:08According to another recipe, the Hand had to be, so to speak, pickled in various ingredients.

00:12:14Two of them are Pony and Zimat.

00:12:16Fortunately, we still don't know the translations of these words.

00:12:18So what was the point of this Hand?

00:12:20Well, it's quite simple.

00:12:22By performing a certain ritual using this Hand, you could open absolutely any door on the planet.

00:12:29It's a kind of magical lockpick.

00:12:31Remarkably, history has even preserved accounts of supposedly real cases where such artifacts were used.

00:12:36In the book Curious Myths of the Middle Ages, published in 1873, there is a story about a maid.

00:12:43During severe weather, a beggar appeared on the doorstep of an inn in the English county of Northumberland.

00:12:48There were no rooms available, but he was allowed to spend the night by the fireplace next to the maid.

00:12:53The woman woke up in the middle of the night and saw the guest pull a dried human hand from

00:12:58the folds of his cloak,

00:12:59light the candles fixed between the fingers and softly mutter some kind of incantation.

00:13:04After that, he calmly wandered around the room, stuffing more or less valuable items into a bag, tableware, candelabras and

00:13:11the like.

00:13:11The maid rushed to wake the master and the other servants, but they were sleeping like the dead.

00:13:15Then she grabbed a jug of milk and splashed it over the hand.

00:13:18The candles went out and the sleep paralysis lifted from the residence of the house.

00:13:23Now, such hands are part of the exhibits in several museums, each with its own sinister history.

00:13:28The next find already held real value back in the Middle Ages.

00:13:3310,000 Immortals

00:13:35There are two versions of the origin of the name, 10,000 Immortal Warriors,

00:13:40because this army is over 2,000 years old, claiming that either version is the absolute truth would be wrong.

00:13:46The Immortals were one of the most terrifying and famous armies of antiquity.

00:13:50It was a 10,000 strong battle force.

00:13:53They first appeared in the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC.

00:13:57Herodotus described them as the finest and most superbly equipped soldiers who served under the command of King Xerxes.

00:14:0410,000 Immortal spear-wielding infantrymen were capable of crushing enemy armies that surpassed them in numbers and equipment.

00:14:11According to one theory, Herodotus confused the Persian words for comrades and immortals,

00:14:16so the Persian army might well have been called the 10,000 comrades, but another theory is more plausible.

00:14:23When one of the infantrymen was killed, another warrior took his place and thus the number of the Immortals was

00:14:29maintained at 10,000 men.

00:14:31Such a tactic could have a psychological effect on the enemy's army, since from the outside, the unit seemed immortal.

00:14:39A double Viking Age burial.

00:14:42Archaeologists made a unique discovery in 1981 near the village of Gerdrup, not far from the city of Roskilde, Denmark.

00:14:51The researchers found a burial that was not just unusual but very strange for those parts.

00:14:56A woman and a man lay in the grave, but they were buried completely differently.

00:15:01The reconstructed burial is considered the main attraction of the local museum in Roskilde today.

00:15:06The photo shows huge stones lying on the woman's chest, left arm and legs.

00:15:12And next to her lies a heavy spearhead, 40 cm long.

00:15:16Determining sex from bones isn't always 100% possible, but in our case archaeologists are certain.

00:15:21The skeleton's pelvis is small, however, experts are certain that the woman had given birth more than once.

00:15:27The skeleton also shows that she was not young.

00:15:30The spear was too large to actually be used in battle, so it was mostly symbolic.

00:15:35But the stones are where things get much more interesting.

00:15:39Some believe the huge stones were placed on the woman out of fear of her.

00:15:44People thought that this way. It would prevent her from rising after death.

00:15:48There were questions about the man too. It is clear that his neck was broken and his legs were tied.

00:15:54So, he was hanged. This looks more like a criminal.

00:15:57But who would want to put a criminal and a female semi-warrior in the same grave?

00:16:03There was an assumption that he was the woman's servant before they did a DNA test on the buried individuals.

00:16:09It turned out to be even more complicated.

00:16:11The woman and the man were relatives. Mother and son.

00:16:16Turns out, we found the real reason behind the fear of this woman.

00:16:19They pelted her with stones so she couldn't rise from the grave and avenge her son's death.

00:16:24And the heavy spearhead was most likely a witch's staff.

00:16:28You might think this is complete nonsense.

00:16:30But there's an explanation and a match for this in an ancient saga written in the 13th century.

00:16:35The saga tells the story of the sorceress Katla and her son Od.

00:16:39Od was an outlaw but no one could wound or kill him.

00:16:42Neither with a knife nor with an axe.

00:16:45Because his mother's witchcraft protected him.

00:16:47She hid her son at home and turned him into a dog or a pig.

00:16:51But none of the sorceress appeared who was able to expose them.

00:16:54In the end, the son was hanged right before his mother's eyes.

00:16:58And the mother was stoned to death.

00:17:00But she managed to curse her killers.

00:17:02It's a very interesting coincidence.

00:17:04Could archaeologists really have found actual evidence of an ancient saga?

00:17:09If myths and sagas can be true stories, then what about the golden boy from Egypt?

00:17:14Stone Needles

00:17:16Archaeologists have discovered six ancient stone artifacts on the shores of Lake Xiaodatieso in Tibet.

00:17:22These finds could be the world's oldest stone needles, dating back around 9,000 years.

00:17:27The artifacts, found by student Yun Chen in 2020, resemble thick needles with a pointed tip and an eye for

00:17:35thread.

00:17:36The elegant design is striking, as each needle was crafted with tremendous effort.

00:17:42Scientists stated that the needles were made of hard materials, such as tremolite and serpentine.

00:17:48Which led to the suggestion that they were used for sewing thick materials, possibly tints.

00:17:53Scientists used ultra-deep microscopy and 3D modeling to study the techniques behind their creation, including complex scraping and drilling

00:18:00processes.

00:18:01Particularly interesting is the discovery of red paint traces on one of the needles.

00:18:06The color red held significant cultural importance for the ancient Tibetans, symbolizing life energy and protection against evil spirits.

00:18:13Some researchers believe that the needles could have been used for weaving nets or as jewelry.

00:18:19However, if these artifacts really are needles, this significantly advances our understanding of ancient technologies,

00:18:26which allowed people in ancient times to create more reliable shelters and clothing for survival in harsh climates.

00:18:33A sunken 700-year-old ship.

00:18:36The bottom of Norway's largest lake, Mojursa, between the 1940s and 1970s, was a dumping ground for surplus ammunition.

00:18:45A lot of weapons were brought here after World War II.

00:18:47However, during the Viking Age, this place was a bustling trade route.

00:18:51Therefore, the archaeologists aimed not only to recover all the ammunition from the bottom, but also to find all their

00:18:58artifacts.

00:18:58Scientists created a map of the lake bottom, which helped archaeologists discover the remains of a 700-year-old Viking

00:19:05Age ship.

00:19:05After analyzing the sonar image, the archaeologists determined that the ship was made of wood and was 10 meters long.

00:19:12It is located at a depth of just over 400 meters.

00:19:15Although the image is blurry, even that helps determine that the ship was built after the 1300s.

00:19:22Before that time, ship designs were very different.

00:19:24Prior to the 1300s, the bow and stern were virtually identical in shape.

00:19:30But in our case, the stern has a distinct design.

00:19:32Based on the sonar images, it's noticeable that the shipbuilders used a Norse technique overlapping the hull planks to make

00:19:40the vessel lighter.

00:19:41Archaeologists suspect that the ship has a centerline rudder, even though Viking ship rudders were typically located on the starboard

00:19:47side.

00:19:47Due to poor weather and visibility, it is difficult for archaeologists to examine the vessel in greater detail.

00:19:53Therefore, they will continue studying the site and possibly raising it ashore next year.

00:19:58Previously, about 20 ships had already been discovered in shallow waters.

00:20:02However, archaeologists are now trying to investigate objects at greater depths.

00:20:05Lake Mursa is a freshwater lake, so ships can be preserved in it for centuries.

00:20:11Metal objects will, of course, rust.

00:20:13But the wood will survive, even if not in pristine condition.

00:20:17Have you ever wondered what snacks people in ancient Rome took with them when they went to watch the gladiators

00:20:22fight?

00:20:22A flute that mimics the sound of a hawk.

00:20:25Now let's head to Israel, to the site of the ancient settlement of Ain Malaha.

00:20:29Here, buried beneath a layer of earth over 12,000 years old, seven unique flutes made from delicate bird bones

00:20:36were discovered.

00:20:37Just picture it!

00:20:38These instruments were crafted by our ancestors from the bones of birds of prey.

00:20:42And scientists are convinced that the choice of bones and the placement of the holes were no accident.

00:20:48They can be used to produce sounds remarkably similar to the calls of birds of prey.

00:20:52According to researchers, these flutes weren't musical instruments, but were used for hunting.

00:20:57Ain Malaha is an ancient Natufian settlement, the first hunter-gatherers who decided to settle in this place.

00:21:03Yet, they didn't give up hunting, fishing and gathering fruits and plants.

00:21:08And they even learned how to practice agriculture and cattle breeding.

00:21:12Ain Malaha is located near Lake Hula, where migratory birds stopped to rest.

00:21:17Based on the findings, the locals actively hunted waterfowl wintering on the lake.

00:21:22These flutes had from one to four finger holes, which, just like on modern flutes, were covered with fingers.

00:21:29Some even had a mouthpiece.

00:21:30And around the holes were numerous scratches and marks, proving that the instruments were actively used.

00:21:36The researchers conducted an experiment and crafted identical flutes from duck bones.

00:21:40The sounds they produced turned out to be very similar to the cries of birds of prey, the kestrel and

00:21:46the Eurasian sparrowhawk.

00:21:48Presumably hunters used these sounds to attract the birds, and then used their talons and feathers for ornaments.

00:21:56A recipe from the grave.

00:21:57Czech scientists have recreated Celtic beer based on pollen studies from an ancient Celtic burial in Moravia.

00:22:05Beer has deep roots, with the earliest traces dating back to the Middle East, where breweries appeared around 5,000

00:22:11to 5,500 years ago.

00:22:13However, its full history still remains a mystery.

00:22:17Excavations carried out in 2020 and 2021 opened new horizons in understanding ancient cultures, revealing the lives and traditions of

00:22:25pre-Celtic peoples.

00:22:26Modern pollen analyses found at this site have revealed traces of millet and other herbs used by the Celts to

00:22:33brew beer.

00:22:34Scientists suggest that certain ingredients, such as clover, might have served as sweeteners for the drink, pointing to the complex

00:22:41taste preferences and technologies of antiquity.

00:22:43The recreated Toreale beer has a unique flavor profile, distinct from modern varieties, highlighting the role of various herbs and

00:22:51spices in its production.

00:22:52The absence of hops presents an interesting aspect of the beer's flavor profile, making it similar to medieval recipes.

00:23:00Beer, being one of mankind's oldest beverages, continues to connect people across cultures and centuries.

00:23:07An ancient marble disc.

00:23:08The underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea hides not only colorful fish, but also the secrets of ancient civilizations.

00:23:16Israeli diver David Shalom made an incredible discovery off the coast of Palmachim Beach.

00:23:20On the seabed, he found a 2,400-year-old marble disc.

00:23:24Only four such discs are known to exist in the entire world.

00:23:27Ancient ships were decorated with such discs, which served not merely as ornamentation, but also as protection against the evil

00:23:33eye.

00:23:34These nautical amulets looked like ice, helping sailors navigate the waters and warning them of potential dangers.

00:23:41This disc measures 20 cm in diameter.

00:23:44One side is flat, the other is convex, and most importantly, traces of paint are still preserved on it.

00:23:50Ancient people mined coal.

00:23:53Frozen for centuries, the coal revealed its secrets to researchers.

00:23:57It turns out our ancient ancestors in northwestern China began mining and using coal as fuel.

00:24:03About 3,600 years ago.

00:24:05For a long time, we thought coal was only first used during China's Han Dynasty.

00:24:10Around 2,152 to 1,730 years ago.

00:24:14But new discoveries are set to rewrite history.

00:24:17Archaeologists conducted an analysis at an excavation site in China's Xinjiang region,

00:24:22where a Bronze Age settlement was discovered.

00:24:24Around 3,800 years ago, people in this region were already growing crops and domesticating livestock,

00:24:30as well as working with bronze.

00:24:32And coal could have served as an energy source for these purposes.

00:24:35Archaeologists believe that ancient people tried burning coal from all these sites

00:24:39and realized that some types of coal were of better quality than others.

00:24:44Coal became a widely available resource when the growing population and metallurgical production

00:24:48began demanding more fuel resources.

00:24:51So the search for new fuel sources began a long time ago,

00:24:55right from the very dawn of humanity.

00:24:57At first, it was plants around 790,000 years ago,

00:25:01then wood, charcoal and dung.

00:25:04And now we know that coal has also become part of this long history of using various energy sources.

00:25:10The earliest use of fire for cooking.

00:25:13Humans first learned to make fire about 200-400,000 years ago.

00:25:18At least, that's what was previously believed.

00:25:21Archaeologists from the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University

00:25:26have made a sensational discovery.

00:25:28They claim to have found evidence that our ancestors were cooking food over a fire roughly 780,000 years ago.

00:25:37The ability to cook food is actually a major breakthrough in the evolution of our ancestors.

00:25:43After hominids learned to cook their food, it gave a boost to their brain development.

00:25:49Previously, it took them much longer to chew and digest food.

00:25:53After heat processing, the meat became softer and was absorbed by the body much faster,

00:25:58which allowed them to spend more time building settlements and exploring new territories.

00:26:04They had a lot of free time that needed to be filled with something.

00:26:07At that point, the brain turned on and actively started figuring out how to entertain itself.

00:26:13You're probably wondering how archaeologists managed to figure out that the earliest cooking of food over a campfire

00:26:18was 780,000 years ago. What could they have possibly found that allowed them to draw such a conclusion?

00:26:25At the Geshe Benot Yaakov archaeological site in Israel, they found charred teeth of a large fish.

00:26:31By analyzing the tooth enamel, they were able to determine that the fish had been gradually subjected to heat treatment.

00:26:37Most likely, it could have been baked or boiled.

00:26:40Nearby, they discovered burned stones indicating that there had been a hearth here.

00:26:44It's so fascinating to imagine that almost a million years ago, our ancestors were cooking fish on stones or in

00:26:52an earthen oven,

00:26:53just like we do now on a grill or barbecue.

00:26:56Legends of the star people among Native Americans

00:26:59In the culture of many indigenous peoples of the Americas, there are legends about the star people,

00:27:04who, as these tales say, arrived on Earth from outer space.

00:27:07These mythological tales embody the ancient encounters between the continent's indigenous people and beings from distant stars.

00:27:14Such stories are especially vivid in the culture of the plateau tribes of North America.

00:27:19According to their beliefs, the star people not only visited Earth,

00:27:22but also passed knowledge down to the Native Americans,

00:27:25helping them adapt to life, teaching them farming, healing, and spiritual practices.

00:27:29One legend tells of how the star people descended to Earth on glittering silver disks,

00:27:35catching the Native Americans' attention with their light and sound.

00:27:39These visitors were friendly and passed on wisdom and knowledge to the tribe.

00:27:42There are also legends that some of the Native Americans left for the sky with the star people

00:27:47and returned enriched with new knowledge and experience.

00:27:51Interestingly, these tales share common features with the myths of other cultures around the world.

00:27:56However, while for most researchers these stories are merely myths born of human imagination

00:28:01and the need to understand the universe,

00:28:04others argue that they may serve as evidence of ancient encounters with extraterrestrial life.

00:28:10Evidence of Extraterrestrial Visitors

00:28:14Now we come to one of the most controversial theories about the pyramids.

00:28:18Some believe that aliens helped build the pyramids.

00:28:21In the 1960s and 70s, this assumption became popular thanks to Eric von Denecken's book,

00:28:28Chariots of the Gods.

00:28:29He claimed that extraterrestrial beings came to Earth a long time ago

00:28:33and helped build the majestic pyramids.

00:28:36But why do we think that?

00:28:38First of all, the pyramid builders cut and placed the stone blocks with extraordinary precision.

00:28:43Some believe that such work was impossible without futuristic technologies that aliens could have provided.

00:28:49Secondly, the pyramids seem to be aligned according to specific astronomical patterns.

00:28:54For instance, the sides of the Great Pyramid of Khufu align perfectly with the cardinal points of the compass.

00:29:00Some even suggest that this was done intentionally to serve as a beacon for incoming alien spacecraft.

00:29:06However, many scientists want to see the evidence.

00:29:10They argue that there's no evidence of extraterrestrials arriving on Earth

00:29:14and everything about the pyramids can be explained by terrestrial technology.

00:29:17The ancient Egyptians used giant ramps to move stone blocks to the top of the pyramid.

00:29:22This may sound primitive, but the effectiveness of this method is undeniable.

00:29:27At the moment, there is no evidence confirming an alien arrival.

00:29:31And although the pyramids remain some of the most astonishing wonders of the world,

00:29:35they were most likely created solely by human hands and minds.

00:29:40The Iron Man Buddha. It's an astonishing discovery that shocked scientists all around the world.

00:29:46This statue, standing about 24 cm tall and weighing 10 kg, was crafted from a meteorite fragment.

00:29:53The piece depicts the Buddhist god, Vaishravana, who symbolizes protection and wealth.

00:29:58The statue's origins were thoroughly investigated by researchers.

00:30:02Based on the analysis, it was determined that the material used was taken from the Chinga meteorite,

00:30:08which fell along the borders of Mongolia and Siberia around 15,000 years ago.

00:30:12It is believed that the statue was created in the 11th century AD in Tibet.

00:30:17It is amazing how ancient craftsmen, without even suspecting the cosmic origin of the material,

00:30:23were able to work it so skillfully and transform it into a work of art.

00:30:27In 1938, Ernst Schaeffer's expedition, founded by Nazi Germany,

00:30:32discovered the statue in Tibet and brought it back to Germany.

00:30:36Subsequently, its origin and material remained a subject of debate and mystery for a long time,

00:30:41until recent scientific research revealed its remarkable history.

00:30:45Today, the Iron Man is not only a majestic work of art,

00:30:49but also a testament to a unique blend of nature and human craftsmanship.

00:30:54A 1500-year-old relic.

00:30:57Archaeologists from Innsbruck have discovered a rare ivory reliquary

00:31:01in an early Christian church in Irchen, southern Austria.

00:31:05This unique artifact, which is 1500 years old,

00:31:09is a box measuring approximately 20 by 30 cm decorated with Christian symbols.

00:31:15A team of archaeologists led by Gerald Graber has been excavating in this region since 2016.

00:31:21On August 4, 2022, they found a reliquary under the altar in a side chapel of the church.

00:31:28Although the artifact was damaged, researchers were able to identify it as a pix,

00:31:32a round ivory container richly decorated with Christian motifs.

00:31:36This discovery was the first of its kind in Austria.

00:31:39Around 40 such boxes are known worldwide, and the last one was found about 100 years ago.

00:31:45Most pixes are kept in cathedral treasuries or displayed in museums,

00:31:49which makes this find particularly valuable.

00:31:51Ivory that has lain underground absorbs moisture, becomes soft, even prone to destruction.

00:31:57Conserving the artifact required careful and prolonged drying to prevent shrinkage and cracking.

00:32:02For two years, the fragments of the reliquary were conserved for scientific analysis.

00:32:06Researchers are working on a 3D reconstruction of the pix.

00:32:10This process will allow for a deeper understanding of the history and significance of this unique find.

00:32:15A magic amulet in Egypt.

00:32:17And once again, we're heading to Ancient Egypt.

00:32:21Archaeologists have unearthed 20 ancient tombs in the city of New Demietta.

00:32:26In one of the burials, archaeologists found gold artifacts, statues of the cat goddess and magical amulets.

00:32:33The burials were dated to 680-688 BC.

00:32:37That's roughly the 26th dynasty.

00:32:40The shape and material of the tombs varied in composition from mud brick to simple pits.

00:32:44There were gold foil artifacts in the tombs.

00:32:47The foil was shaped in the form of ancient Egyptian gods, such as Isis, who was one of the most

00:32:53important deities.

00:32:54There were also golden figures of the cat goddess and the falcon-headed god Horus.

00:32:58Ancient texts say that Egyptian gods had flesh made of gold.

00:33:02Such amulets provided protection from the depicted gods and also helped the deceased find their place in the realm of

00:33:09the gods.

00:33:10In addition to gold amulets and figurines, there was a lot of pottery in the tombs.

00:33:14Also found in the tombs were miniature models of canopic jars which were used to preserve the internal organs of

00:33:20the deceased during the mummification process.

00:33:22So far, archaeologists cannot give a definitive answer as to whom the tombs belonged, but the amount of valuable artifacts

00:33:29found here is simply astonishing.

00:33:31Medieval giantess in the Middle Ages on the island of Ostrow Ledniki in Poland lived a woman of unusual height,

00:33:40who likely suffered from mental disorders.

00:33:43She is the only known giantess from Poland of that era, as confirmed by Dr. Magdalena Matczak.

00:33:49Her height was around 215 centimeters, while average women stood at about 1.6 meters tall.

00:33:55The woman passed away at the age of 25 to 30.

00:33:59Researchers found her skeleton in the Lednika region.

00:34:02It is assumed that having such a condition could have been accompanied by mental health issues.

00:34:07Interestingly, despite her height, the giantess's life in medieval Poland could have been quite comfortable, as she was well known

00:34:14in her community.

00:34:15But her burial was unusual.

00:34:17Contrary to established traditions, her body was oriented toward the west, and she had no grave goods.

00:34:24The Singapore Stone

00:34:25Before you stands a massive sandstone slab, several centuries old.

00:34:30It stood at the mouth of the Singapore River, like a steadfast sentinel of time.

00:34:35Strange symbols can be discerned on it.

00:34:38It is an inscription that has never been deciphered.

00:34:41Perhaps it was written in Old Javanese or Sanskrit.

00:34:44Perhaps it was commissioned by some influential Sumatran.

00:34:48This stone is even linked to a legendary 14th century strongman named Badang.

00:34:52They say he threw the stone into the river, and later, stone pillars were erected in his honor.

00:34:57But what happened to it next?

00:34:59In 1843, the stone was blown up to widen the passage at the river mouth.

00:35:04Only fragments of it remained.

00:35:06And one of them is now in the National Museum of Singapore, as a national treasure.

00:35:11This stone is not just an old piece of sandstone.

00:35:14It's a mystery that scientists are trying to unravel.

00:35:17The secret held by this inscription will tell us more about the past and the people who lived in ancient

00:35:22times.

00:35:23Perhaps technologies of the future will help us decipher it.

00:35:28Voids

00:35:28Scientists want to perform an ultrasound scan on a huge 140 meter high pyramid.

00:35:35They plan to use large telescopes to search for particles that will help us see what is hidden inside.

00:35:41The most interesting part is that cosmic rays are used for this.

00:35:44They are the ones that will help unravel the secret of the two mysterious voids inside the pyramid.

00:35:49One of them is located right above the grand gallery, leading to the king's chamber.

00:35:54Its dimensions are astonishing.

00:35:57Thirty meters long and six meters high.

00:36:00Scientists are not yet sure what awaits us inside.

00:36:03One large space or a series of small rooms.

00:36:06It could be the hidden burial chamber of Khufu, or this area might have played a role during the construction

00:36:11of the pyramid.

00:36:12To solve this mystery, they use muons, elementary particles that are formed when cosmic rays collide with atoms in Earth's

00:36:21atmosphere.

00:36:22With their help, a map of the voids inside the pyramid can be built.

00:36:25Muons behave differently when interacting with different materials, such as stone or air.

00:36:31This way, scientists can use muons to see what is hidden from normal view.

00:36:39Han Dynasty burial suits

00:36:41In ancient China, high ranking people were buried in unique suits made of jade plaques bound together with gold wire.

00:36:49The cold, smooth plaques formed an incredibly beautiful mosaic that symbolized the wealth of the Han Dynasty.

00:36:55Such burials have never been seen anywhere else outside of China.

00:36:59In Chinese, they are called jade shrouds or literally jade suits.

00:37:04For centuries, people believed that jade burial suits were nothing more than a legend.

00:37:09People couldn't even imagine that rulers back then could be wealthy enough to completely encase their bodies in incredibly expensive

00:37:16jade.

00:37:16But the discovery in 1980 confirmed that these were by no means mere legends described in ancient texts.

00:37:23This find became a sensation not only for China, but for the entire world.

00:37:28Archaeologists were finally able to confirm that the rulers of the Han Dynasty were buried in jade suits.

00:37:34The Han Dynasty was extraordinarily powerful and ruled from 206 BC to 220 AD.

00:37:40This is one of the most iconic Chinese dynasties.

00:37:43And today, the Han people remain China's main ethnic group.

00:37:47The tombs of the Han Dynasty rulers changed our understanding of Chinese burial practices.

00:37:53In 1983, in Dingshan Hebei Province, researchers discovered one of the most expensive jade suits in history, which belonged to

00:38:02ruler Huai.

00:38:03The suit is made of 1203 pieces of jade connected by gold wire with a total weight of 2580 grams.

00:38:12The most complex suit consisted of 2498 pieces of jade.

00:38:19An astonishing archaeological discovery took place in the village of Yelabuga in Russia.

00:38:26A basalt boulder was found with petroglyphs, resembling the famous Cicaceae alien rock carvings.

00:38:32An image of a praying mantis was also discovered on this stone, which is a rarity for this region.

00:38:38An expedition of scientists from Moscow arrived in the region to study the find.

00:38:42Initially, archaeologists were skeptical about the report of the petroglyphs, but on site they confirmed the authenticity of the artifact.

00:38:49Various figures are depicted on the stone, including a rare image of a praying mantis, which is unique worldwide.

00:38:56Scientists are continuing to study this area, launching quadcopters to record coordinates and create a digital map of the petroglyphs.

00:39:04The main question that remains open is the origin of the boulder with such unique drawings.

00:39:09There are hypotheses that the stone could have arrived with an ice drift or been brought by other means.

00:39:15The 3D models made from the drawings allow archaeologists to present exact copies of the Yelabuga finds to the public,

00:39:22confirming their importance and uniqueness.

00:39:24This find not only confirms the region's rich history, but also opens up new perspectives for studying ancient civilizations, the

00:39:32tomb of the Roman sorcerer.

00:39:34It's already hard to scare or surprise archaeologists with anything, but this find discovered in the ancient city of Segalassos

00:39:41was an exception.

00:39:42They found an unusual cremation burial, doubly sealed and scattered with bent nails.

00:39:48By doing this, people in ancient times wanted to protect the living from the dead man buried here.

00:39:53Who he was and why they tried to hide him even after death, you'll find out next.

00:39:58Segalassos was founded at the end of the 5th century BC when the region was part of the Achaemenid Empire.

00:40:04And by the 2nd century BC, it had become quite an important urban center of the Hellenistic kingdom of Pergamon.

00:40:10In 25 BC, Augustus included it in the Roman province of Galatia, and this was the era of the city's

00:40:17greatest flourishing.

00:40:18The cremation burial was dated between 100 and 150 AD.

00:40:22The buried individual was an adult male who had been cremated and left on that same pyre.

00:40:27Archaeologists also noted that no one had touched the charred remains after the cremation.

00:40:31And this is where it gets interesting, because according to ancient Roman cremation practices,

00:40:36the ashes were usually collected into an urn and buried in a grave or placed in a tomb.

00:40:42But even that isn't the strangest thing the researchers noticed.

00:40:45Around the edges of the cremation pyre, someone had scattered 41 bent and twisted nails.

00:40:50They couldn't have been used for any practical purposes.

00:40:52Their distribution around the perimeter of the pyre indicates that the nails were placed there in some specific order.

00:40:58On top of the still smouldering pyre, 24 large bricks were laid tightly together.

00:41:03Then the bricks were covered with a thick layer of plaster.

00:41:06The result was a rather massive and well-sealed tomb.

00:41:09Interestingly, each of these practices had already been encountered in ancient Rome.

00:41:13Cremation, sealing the grave with bricks and even bent nails.

00:41:17However, in our story, everything was used in one single place.

00:41:21Most likely, the buried person was a dangerous man when alive.

00:41:24Unfortunately, the remains of the burned man were unsuitable for DNA analysis.

00:41:29Based on the pattern of other burials from that period, archaeologists concluded that the deceased was an ancient sorcerer.

00:41:35That was precisely what terrified people while the sorcerer was alive.

00:41:39And it caused such fear that they decided to perform a gruesome burial ritual, sealing the grave.

00:41:44A 500,000 year old wooden structure.

00:41:48Archaeologists from China have made an astonishing discovery near Colombo Falls in southern Africa.

00:41:53They discovered traces of the lives of ancient members of the genus Homo, dating back around 476,000 years.

00:42:02The main discovery is fragments of a wooden structure, which indicates that these people did not merely use wood to

00:42:08make tools, but also for construction.

00:42:11The Colombo Falls site itself is an archaeological treasure where artifacts from various cultures have been discovered.

00:42:17But this recent discovery has overturned our understanding of how ancient humans lived.

00:42:23Dating back to the middle Pleistocene, these wooden structures proved that people of this era could lead a sedentary lifestyle

00:42:29engaging in construction and woodworking.

00:42:32Scientists have concluded that these structures were part of a dwelling or another large building.

00:42:38Perhaps they used them not only as shelter, but also for social or religious ceremonies.

00:42:43However, the question of who exactly was the creator of this architectural heritage remains open.

00:42:49It could have been Homo erectus, or another representative of the genus Homo.

00:42:53Now, scientists have every reason to believe that ancient representatives of the genus Homo were much more advanced than we

00:43:00previously assumed.

00:43:04Imagine a labyrinth of tunnels beneath Europe, stretching all the way from Scotland to the Mediterranean.

00:43:10These mysterious tunnels date back to the Stone Age and have been around for 12,000 years.

00:43:16Archaeologists like Heinrich Kusch are simply astounded by this marvel.

00:43:20Just 70 sima wide, the tunnels stretch for hundreds of kilometers underground.

00:43:25There are even rest areas.

00:43:26Who built them and why?

00:43:28Could they have been shelters from enemies?

00:43:30Or mystical passages for elves and dwarves?

00:43:33Or maybe someone in antiquity was trying to build subway lines?

00:43:37What is this?

00:43:38An ancient mystery or something more?

00:43:41Perhaps the secrets of these tunnels will remain forever unsolved.

00:43:44Yet they serve as a reminder of just how fascinating and unfathomable ancient civilizations can be.

00:43:50Digging a tunnel like this deep underground in the Stone Age without future technology is an impossible task.

00:43:57An ancient permafrost wolf.

00:44:00During an expedition in Siberia, an incredible discovery was made.

00:44:04An ancient wolf, remarkably well preserved in the permafrost,

00:44:08found at a depth of about 40 meters near the Tirektiak river in Yakuchiya's Abiski district.

00:44:13The wolf carcass was transferred to the Mammoth Museum in Yakutska for further research.

00:44:18The wolf's condition amazed scientists.

00:44:21After 44,000 years, its fur, bones, organs and even terrifying teeth remained preserved.

00:44:27Experts call this discovery unprecedented, as it is the oldest known wolf ever subjected to an autopsy.

00:44:33They hope that studying the stomach and other organs will shed light on its diet and surrounding environment.

00:44:39The stomach remained sealed and uncontaminated, which will provide a snapshot of the biota from the ancient Pleistocene era.

00:44:46Examining its contents could reveal not only what the wolf ate, but also what it preyed on.

00:44:51Based on tooth wear and the development of the sagittal crest, it has already been determined that this was an

00:44:57adult male.

00:44:57The study of ancient bacteria could aid in the development of new medicines and biotechnological products.

00:45:03Highlighting the immense significance of this discovery for the future.

00:45:07This discovery not only unravels a mystery, but also opens up new horizons for science and medicine.

00:45:13The sanctuary of Samian Poseidon

00:45:16In Samikon, Greece, amidst thickets of wild olive trees, archaeologists discovered a possible sanctuary of Samian Poseidon.

00:45:26Archaeologists excavated the foundation of quite a large structure, 9.4 meters wide with walls 0.8 meters thick.

00:45:33Preliminary findings date the remains to the 6th century BC.

00:45:37According to ancient sources, the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Samikon was an important regional religious center for the six cities

00:45:44of Trephilia.

00:45:45The location where the potential temple was found matches the writings of the ancient Greek geographer Strabo, who wrote about

00:45:51the temple in his work Geography.

00:45:53Samikon, or as it is also called Samikon, was an ancient city of the Middle and Late Helladic periods.

00:45:58Before beginning excavations, archaeologists spent several years taking measurements and conducting soil analysis.

00:46:05Based on the geographical anomalies at this site, one could expect a building at least 28 meters long which had

00:46:11two inner rooms.

00:46:14The elongated large building can be nothing other than an archaic temple located on the site of the Sanctuary of

00:46:20Poseidon.

00:46:21The large marble vessel discovered here, imitating a bronze basin, is characteristic of the Sanctuary's inventory and dates to the

00:46:29archaic period.

00:46:30This discovery sheds new light on the political and economic significance of the Amphitioni and Trephilian cities in the 6th

00:46:37century BC,

00:46:39when the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Samikon served as the center of their religious and ethnic identity.

00:46:44It is impossible to make a video about ancient Greece without mentioning ancient Egypt.

00:46:50In the Bronze Age, entire cities were traded.

00:46:53The powerful 2023 earthquake in Turkey brought not only destruction but also discoveries in Karamanmaras.

00:47:01Where it all happened lies the ancient mound of Telacana.

00:47:04The city of Al-Alaq was once there.

00:47:07A true hub of the Bronze Age.

00:47:09Al-Alaq was founded back in the 2nd millennium BC.

00:47:12It was part of Yamhad, a giant empire of that era.

00:47:15Palaces stood there, as early as 2000 BC.

00:47:19Right here, we come across the mysterious Yerim Lim.

00:47:22Who was he? A brother, a son.

00:47:24This question plagued scholars for a long time until recent discoveries showed that he was the brother of Yamhad's ruler.

00:47:30And then, after an earthquake, archaeologists discovered a clay tablet.

00:47:34It bore cuneiform script.

00:47:36It was a contract of sale for an entire city.

00:47:39And most interestingly, the buyer was our protagonist, Yerim Lim.

00:47:42It's like an ancient receipt from a store that hasn't even opened yet.

00:47:46For a long time, it was believed that cities were gifted or traded but never sold.

00:47:50This tablet changes everything.

00:47:53Victims of a Mayan Ritual.

00:47:55At the Moral Reforma archaeological site, where the ancient Maya once held sway,

00:48:00researchers discovered 13 burials with elongated skulls.

00:48:04Yeah, and those poor souls were decapitated.

00:48:07I've often mentioned that the Maya had a specific trend of elongating skulls, altering their shape in early childhood.

00:48:13It was a mark of high status.

00:48:15And all 13 of the newly discovered skulls belong to men aged 17 to 45.

00:48:20Miriam Martinez, an anthropologist, says,

00:48:23The skulls were severed with a sharp object.

00:48:25Though it's unclear whether such trauma led to death or if it happened posthumously.

00:48:30And, another interesting fact, there was red pigment on some of the remains.

00:48:35What it is and why it's there?

00:48:37Scientists are still working on that question.

00:48:40The graves of the earliest horse riders.

00:48:43I talked about the first chariots in the previous video.

00:48:46And in this one, we'll find out when humanity mastered horseback riding.

00:48:51Scientists from the University of Helsinki believe this happened at least 4,300 years ago.

00:48:57The researchers examined more than 217 skeletons from 39 sites.

00:49:02Around 150 of them belong to the Yamnaya culture.

00:49:05At least 24 skeletons could have belonged to horse riders which may indicate that horseback riding was already widespread 3

00:49:12,000 years ago.

00:49:13Horseback riding is indicated by skeletal changes, the attachment sites of muscles to the pelvis and thigh, the shape of

00:49:20the femoral head, vertebral degeneration due to vertical load and others.

00:49:24To determine that a horse was used for riding.

00:49:27There are 6 skeletal markers.

00:49:30In one of the graves, which is 4,300 years old, only 4 of them were found.

00:49:35It was previously believed that horseback riding was mastered by members of the Yamnaya culture,

00:49:40which made them the first nomads and allowed them to spread Proto-Indo-European languages across a significant part of

00:49:46Eurasia.

00:49:47However, it is not yet clear what people used horses for.

00:49:50Either because it was more convenient for herding livestock, or because riding horses was a status symbol.

00:49:55But one shouldn't rule out that the primary use of horseback riding was warfare.

00:49:59After all, history has shown that wars force people to invent new technologies and improve their way of life.

00:50:05Boosted their combat effectiveness on the battlefield, people used horses,

00:50:09and later on horses helped solve their everyday problems and accelerated the settlement of new lands.

00:50:14The Atlas sculpture, an impressive find at Chichen Itza, enhances our understanding of the extensive cultural ties between the ancient

00:50:23civilizations of Mexico.

00:50:25The discovered Atlas figure likely played an important role in religious or cultural ceremonies,

00:50:30and its detailed carving speaks to the high level of skill of ancient craftsmen.

00:50:35The fact that the artifact was found during construction in a modern area is a reminder of how deeply the

00:50:40roots of history run into the earth.

00:50:42Even beneath places that seemed long forgotten or lost.

00:50:46The Atlas figure from Chichen Itza will stand as yet another testament to the glorious multifaceted history of ancient Mexican

00:50:51civilizations.

00:50:52A fragrance that is 3200 years old.

00:50:56Have you ever wondered what people smelled like in ancient times?

00:50:59I don't mean the scent of the human body. I'm talking about ancient perfume.

00:51:04We've always been interested in what ancient people ate, what their hobbies were, and what they dreamed of.

00:51:09So why not find out what they smelled like? It's a lot more complicated than that.

00:51:14A smell can't be preserved for hundreds or thousands of years in the ground.

00:51:17However, scientists aren't resting on their laurels, and they'll always find a way to recreate ancient life.

00:51:23Scientists from the Smell Academy and Fragrance Culture Association in Turkey have created a scent based on a formula by

00:51:29a famous ancient perfumer, a woman named Taputi Belatekalim.

00:51:33The formula used to recreate the scent was found on cuneiform tablets during excavations in Ashur, the capital of the

00:51:40ancient Assyrian city-state in modern-day Iraq.

00:51:42These tablets detailed a step-by-step recipe for making a perfume that was adored by women.

00:51:463,200 years ago, Taputi Belatekalim used a blend of various flowers and oils to craft her perfume, as well

00:51:54as calamus, syperus, myrrh, horseradish, spices, and balsam.

00:52:00She mixed all the ingredients with water and other solvents.

00:52:04She used a distillation method, just like in moonshine production, after which she filtered the resulting liquid several times.

00:52:10Similar perfume-making methods are still used today.

00:52:14However, beyond the physical method of making perfume, she was also guided by rituals.

00:52:18For instance, she crafted her products exclusively under a full moon, yet there are parts that scientists still haven't been

00:52:25able to translate.

00:52:26By the word hirsu, the recipe's author meant some kind of vessel.

00:52:31In reality, it too could have played a key role in creating the fragrance.

00:52:35The traditions of perfumery in this region go back 8,000 years.

00:52:39So, archaeologists will have plenty of work ahead of them trying to find that very ancient scent used to charm

00:52:45men in antiquity.

00:52:48Jade Cups, the 1980s, in Ecuador.

00:52:52Adventurer archaeologist Elias Sotomayor ventures deep into the jungle, inspired by tales of a mysterious underground city.

00:53:00The city was never found, but Elias discovered incredible artifacts that glow in the dark over 18,000 years old.

00:53:08And here they are, forgotten in a corner.

00:53:10Twelve cups and a goblet crafted with incredible precision from hard-to-carve jade.

00:53:15A miracle, right? But it gets even more interesting.

00:53:18Each cup is an exact duplicate of the other, and each one matches the goblet's volume precisely.

00:53:24What if, back in those ancient times, hyper-advanced stone cutting machines actually existed in Ecuador?

00:53:30And the cherry on top, each cup and goblet depicts a different constellation.

00:53:35Just imagine the level of astronomical knowledge their creators must have possessed.

00:53:40And all of this could be tied to the legendary city of the Red Sunday, which, according to myth, once

00:53:45stood here in Ecuador.

00:53:47Maybe our mysterious artifacts are all that's left of its people.

00:53:52A Ceramic Drainage System

00:53:544,000 years ago, the rains in China were so heavy, that up to 50 centimeters of water could fall

00:54:01in a single month.

00:54:02But the Chinese of that era didn't just sit idly by.

00:54:05They built an incredible drainage system to combat this watery madness.

00:54:09Every little house in the village of Pingliangtai had its own mini-ditch.

00:54:13And those ditches weren't just there for show.

00:54:16They kept every single villager safe from the raging waters.

00:54:19And in the plazas and public areas, they laid gigantic ditches that connected to ceramic pipes.

00:54:25These pipes were assembled from separate sections like a puzzle, funneling the water away from the settlement.

00:54:31And best of all, these antique pipes are still in great shape.

00:54:35Skeleton with an intact brain

00:54:39Imagine a gigantic 45-hectare mound that looks like a heart in aerial photographs.

00:54:44It's not called the heart of Western Anatolia for nothing.

00:54:47And now, the most interesting part.

00:54:49For the first time in the history of Turkish archaeology, scientists have discovered well-preserved skin remains.

00:54:55And also remnants of a brain.

00:54:57Imagine brain remains that are already 3700 years old.

00:55:02Finds this ancient are incredible.

00:55:04So, who are these people?

00:55:06It was a young guy, around 15-18 years old and a middle-aged man.

00:55:10Apparently their house was set on fire during the Bronze Age and they couldn't manage to get out in time.

00:55:15It's scary to imagine that it was because of that fire that their remains and the remains actually preserved quite

00:55:19well.

00:55:20This remarkable mound was a true capital of its region in ancient times.

00:55:24But around 1700 BCE, it was completely destroyed in an attack.

00:55:29And now, the main question. How is that even possible?

00:55:33How could brain and skin remains survive for so long?

00:55:36Thanks to the extremely high temperatures of the fire, this is truly a unique and rare find.

00:55:44Sumerian carts and Egyptian chariots.

00:55:46When you see movies or pictures showing gorgeous chariots and powerful horses, it is a complete lie.

00:55:53In fact, if it hadn't been for frail and sickly horses, this type of transport probably never would have appeared

00:55:59in the first place.

00:56:00Chariots appeared because of frail horses.

00:56:02And domestic horses and donkeys in ancient times didn't have good, high-quality feed in their diet.

00:56:08That's why they grew up weak and incapable of carrying warriors on their backs.

00:56:12Chariots were invented for such horses.

00:56:14The design of this transport made it possible to distribute the entire load onto the wheels.

00:56:18And even a weak horse could already pull something like that.

00:56:21If you literally dig into history, war chariots appeared much earlier than cavalry.

00:56:26But at first, they were war wagons.

00:56:28Archaeologists excavated the first war wagons in the Sumerian territory, which were harnessed to four horses.

00:56:33They were that cumbersome archers and javelin throwers fought in the Sumerian war wagons.

00:56:38Javelin throwers.

00:56:393,900 years ago, the Sumerians invented wood-bending technology.

00:56:44Lightweight spoked wheels and bent frames reduced the chariots' weight.

00:56:48The ancient Egyptians later adopted and perfected this technology.

00:56:513,800 years ago, hordes of Hyksos invaded Egypt.

00:56:55With horse-drawn chariots, the Hyksos conquered Lower Egypt.

00:56:58But over centuries of occupation, the three Egyptians of the Upper Nile copied those unfamiliar technologies

00:57:04and Pharaoh Amoses eyed drove out the Hyksos.

00:57:08Later, the Egyptians formed formidable strike units out of chariots.

00:57:1250 Egyptian chariots formed a squadron, a tactical unit on the battlefield.

00:57:16Squadrons with resounding names like Thunder, Lightning and Strike of Osiris

00:57:19were part of the Pharaoh's Army Chariot Regiment.

00:57:23Ancient Children's Shoes

00:57:24In the Austrian village of Durenberg, archaeologists made an astonishing discovery.

00:57:29They managed to find ancient leather children's shoes with fully preserved laces.

00:57:34After assessing their style and design, scientists determined that the shoes date back to the 2nd century AD,

00:57:40an era known as the Iron Age.

00:57:44According to the German Mining Museum in Bochum and the Leibniz Research Museum for Georesources,

00:57:49the artifact corresponds to a modern European size 30.

00:57:54The uniqueness of this find lies in its preservation.

00:57:57The main reason for such an ideal condition of the ancient footwear is salt.

00:58:01The village of Durenberg has long been known for its salt mines and salt preserves organic materials exceptionally well.

00:58:09Organic objects usually deteriorate over time, but thanks to the unique preservation conditions,

00:58:13ancient textile remains and even excrement found in this area gives scientists the opportunity to learn more about the lives

00:58:20of Iron Age people.

00:58:22A gold bead over 1,600 years old!

00:58:26Once again, excavations in Jerusalem.

00:58:30In the Emek Tzurim National Park, a gold bead made by a skilled jeweler over 1,600 years ago was

00:58:38discovered.

00:58:38The discovery was made by 18-year-old Hillel Feidman, who is doing her national service in the park.

00:58:44Archaeologists believe the bead was part of a bracelet or necklace.

00:58:47The soil was excavated from a luxurious building that stood on the pilgrimage road.

00:58:52Judging by the discoveries made here and the shards of overseas pottery, we can conclude that a very wealthy family

00:58:58lived here.

00:58:59The value of this discovery lies not only in the material it's made of, but also in the skill of

00:59:04the ancient jeweler.

00:59:05The technology for making such jewelry originated in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BCE.

00:59:11Researchers suspect that the bead's age could be much older than 1,600 years.

00:59:17The jeweler required great skill in working with the material to carefully join the tiny balls together without flattening them.

00:59:22For this, it was crucial to maintain the right temperature.

00:59:26Similar jewelry has already been found in Jerusalem, but those pieces were made of silver.

00:59:31And a fossilized bullet.

00:59:34In Crimea, a mysterious 2,200-year-old bullet was found inside a stone.

00:59:39Yes, you heard right, a bullet. Back then, firearms and gunpowder didn't exist yet.

00:59:45Researchers discovered it when the stone cracked open.

00:59:48How did a bullet end up inside an ancient stone?

00:59:50This discovery could change all of history.

00:59:53Could a bullet from the future have traveled into the past and lain in the ground for several millennia?

00:59:59In any case, the fact artifact is shrouded in mystery and we can only guess what really happened.

01:00:05What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.

01:00:09Traces of opium dating back 3,500 years.

01:00:14Archaeologists in Israel have made a sensational announcement.

01:00:17Bronze Age people living in the Levant consumed psychoactive substances.

01:00:23In 2017, during excavations in the Tell Yehud tombs, archaeologists unearthed pottery.

01:00:30But the analyses were only carried out this year.

01:00:33Investigating excavations like this is a lot like forensic crime scene investigation.

01:00:38The analysis of the 22 pottery items was conducted using equipment used by the police.

01:00:44It never would have crossed the minds of those who used opium in the Bronze Age that they would be

01:00:49studied by 21st century police.

01:00:51Gas chromocography mass spectrometry analysis carried out as part of the study showed that 8 of the vessels contained opium

01:00:59alkaloids derived from the poppy plant.

01:01:01The vessels contained morphinan, which is derived from morphine, as well as opiumic acid and other compounds in the chemical

01:01:09signature of opium.

01:01:10Based on this, we can conclude that the ancient Canaanites were familiar with the psychoactive properties of the poppy.

01:01:17The ancient Egyptians may have used opium as an offering for the afterlife.

01:01:21Or the priests used it to summon the spirits of deceased relatives.

01:01:26Back in the 1960s, experts first suggested that such jugs were used for producing opium.

01:01:33The long necks resembled an inverted poppy head.

01:01:36The first written mention of opium was on 3,000-year-old Sumerian clay tablets, where the medicine is referred

01:01:44to as gil, which means happiness.

01:01:46This is far from the first discovery confirming that people used drugs in ancient times.

01:01:52Archaeologists have repeatedly found traces of marijuana, which was most likely used for religious rituals.

01:01:59Cobra Artifact

01:02:01Archaeologists have discovered a 4,000-year-old artifact in the form of a snake figurine, which was probably used

01:02:08in ancient rituals.

01:02:10The discovery was made by a team of researchers from the National Tsinghua University in Taiwan, in a sand dune

01:02:16in the northwest of the island, an area with a rich archaeological past.

01:02:20It is presumed that this figurine, shaped like a snake, might have served as a handle for a ceramic vessel

01:02:26intended for ritual purposes.

01:02:28Associate Professor Honglin Chu of the Tsinghua Institute of Anthropology noted that the figurine resembles a cobra with its head

01:02:35raised and characteristic hood folds on its neck, making it unique evidence of ancient cultic practices.

01:02:41As a frequent symbol in religion and mythology, snakes were associated with life cycles and death, symbolizing creation and transition.

01:02:48Scientists suggest that the snake handle might have adorned a sacrificial vessel actively used in ritual ceremonies by ancient priests.

01:02:56Children's drawings in Pompeii

01:02:59These findings immerse us in the everyday life of ordinary people on the eve of the catastrophe.

01:03:05Among the ruins of Pompeii, ancient graffiti depicting battling gladiators was discovered.

01:03:11Scientists believe these doodles offer a better understanding of the ancient Roman mindset.

01:03:15Charcoal drawings were discovered among the ruins of the courtyard of the Casa del Secondo Cenacolo Colonnato.

01:03:22Scala Nadei, Второй Тайной Вечер.

01:03:25Researchers say the drawings were made by children, likely around five to seven years old.

01:03:29This is confirmed by the nearby outline of a small hand traced in charcoal.

01:03:34This confirms that even ancient Roman children visited amphitheaters to watch the bloody spectacle.

01:03:40The graffiti was discovered on one of the corridor walls near the service courtyard, about one and a half meters

01:03:45above floor level.

01:03:47The children probably climbed onto some scaffolding.

01:03:49The drawings depict two gladiators facing each other.

01:03:53Nearby is a scene of Venatio.

01:03:54Hunting games also featuring two fighters armed with long spears.

01:03:58They appear to be about to take on a pair of wild boars.

01:04:01To the right is the head of a bird of prey.

01:04:04Presumably an eagle.

01:04:05In another room most likely used for storing amphorae, another series of drawings appeared on the walls.

01:04:11Again, not very high up.

01:04:12These are three small hands traced in charcoal.

01:04:15Two gladiatorial battle scenes, two figures playing with a sword, a wild boar, and finally a hand-to-hand combat

01:04:22scene where one of the two fighters is lying down.

01:04:25The tomb of the last Anunnaki king.

01:04:29Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, is one of the most important and enigmatic figures in the history of ancient Mesopotamia.

01:04:35He not only became the central figure in one of the oldest epic poems, but also left a profound mark

01:04:41on culture and religion.

01:04:43Gilgamesh, whose name is still surrounded by mystery, was an outstanding ruler whose achievements became the foundation for many myths

01:04:49and legends.

01:04:50During his reign, Gilgamesh was known as a great builder, strategist, and warrior.

01:04:55He is credited with the construction of the massive city walls of Uruk, which protected the inhabitants from enemies and

01:05:00natural disasters.

01:05:01According to legends, these walls were so impressive that the gods themselves took part in their construction.

01:05:07Beyond that, Gilgamesh's reign is associated with a period of economic prosperity and cultural renaissance, which turned Uruk into a

01:05:14major center of the ancient world.

01:05:16Gilgamesh became a central figure in mythology thanks to an epic poem about his feats, known as the Epic of

01:05:22Gilgamesh.

01:05:23This literary monument, found in the library of the Assyrian king, Ashurbanipal in Nineveh, describes Gilgamesh's journey and adventures, his

01:05:32struggle with natural and supernatural forces, as well as his quest for immortality.

01:05:36This poem is not only a crucial source for studying ancient Mesopotamian culture, but it also reflects timeless human aspirations

01:05:44and emotions.

01:05:46Archaeological findings confirm the historicity of Gilgamesh.

01:05:49Duttering excavations in Uruk and other Mesopotamian cities, numerous artifacts were discovered, including cuneiform tablets with texts and inscriptions mentioning

01:05:57his name.

01:05:58Of particular importance is the discovered tomb, which, according to some theories, may belong to Gilgamesh himself.

01:06:05This discovery, if confirmed, could be key to understanding the historical figure of Gilgamesh.

01:06:10Among the archaeological finds, texts describing the Anunnaki deities who played a significant role in the mythology of ancient Mesopotamia

01:06:18attract particular attention.

01:06:19The Anunnaki, are considered the descendants of the sky god Anne, and the earth goddess Ki, were associated with the

01:06:26creation of humanity and governing its fate.

01:06:29The theory of the Anunnaki's influence extends far beyond Mesopotamia, linking them to other ancient civilizations and even to extraterrestrial

01:06:36visitors from the planet Nibiru.

01:06:38Comparing the Nibiru theory with other cataclysm theories, such as the Great Flood or the Tunguska meteorite impact, demonstrates a

01:06:44wide range of hypotheses regarding the origin and evolution of mankind.

01:06:48The discovery of Gilgamesh's tomb could shed light on many aspects of the life and reign of this legendary king,

01:06:55as well as confirm or refute numerous myths about him.

01:06:59An Ancient Adult Toy

01:07:02The artifact, which is over 2000 years old, was found in Great Britain back in 1992.

01:07:09Initially, archaeologists assumed that this wooden object was used as a sewing tool.

01:07:14However, further studies suggested that it might have been an ancient sex device.

01:07:20Most scientists agree that the found wooden object is shaped like a phallus.

01:07:24The uniqueness of this artifact lies in the fact that its shape and method of use have not changed even

01:07:29thousands of years later.

01:07:31And the most interesting thing is that its shape won't change in the future either, for obvious reasons.

01:07:37However, there are several versions regarding the use of this artifact as a sex toy.

01:07:42Based on Roman depictions, it is known that they had dildos.

01:07:46However, they have rarely survived to this day, as they were most often made from organic materials.

01:07:52Also, some archaeologists suggest that slave owners might have used such an object to inflict pain and demonstrate power over

01:07:58their slaves.

01:08:00Others believe it could have been a good luck charm, as charms of this shape were very common in ancient

01:08:05times.

01:08:07And the last option is that it could have been used as a mortar for grinding or mixing spices and

01:08:12other materials used for cooking or medical purposes.

01:08:16Giants in Lovelock Cave

01:08:18The Paiute tribe, Native Americans from Nevada, have passed down stories from generation to generation about white-skinned, red-haired

01:08:26giants known as the Sea-Tekah.

01:08:29These legends were first recorded in 1882 by Sarah Winamooka Hopkins, daughter of a Paiute chief, in her book Life

01:08:36Among the Paiutes.

01:08:38Their wrongs and claims, according to the legends, these giants were fierce cannibals.

01:08:43Particularly significant is the story of a battle that took place at a site now known as Lovelock Cave.

01:08:49According to the legend, in the early 20th century, archaeologists discovered thousands of artifacts in this cave,

01:08:55sparking hypotheses about the reality of these legends.

01:08:59Sea-Tekah, or tool-eaters, tool being an aquatic plant, used rafts made from this plant to cross Lake Lahontan

01:09:05during the last Ice Age.

01:09:08As the story goes, the Paiute eventually united against the Sea-Tekah pursuing them, they drove them into a cave.

01:09:15Refusing to come out and fight, the giants were destroyed with flaming arrows, that the tribes shot into the cave,

01:09:21sparking a fire.

01:09:23Many of the giants were killed and the rest suffocated from the smoke.

01:09:27Lovelock Cave, also known as Bat Cave, is considered an ancient site formed even before humans appeared on the continent.

01:09:33In 1886, local Indians told the legend to engineer John Reed, who was unable to begin excavations.

01:09:42Later in 1911, miners extracting guano discovered artifacts, which prompted the first archaeological investigations.

01:09:51In 1924, a second excavation uncovered about 10,000 artifacts including duck decoys and unusually large sandals, which supported the

01:10:00tales of giants.

01:10:03Radiocarbon dating indicated that the cave was occupied around 1500 BC.

01:10:08The dates about the existence of giants continued to rage, but many scientists believed they were simply taller than average

01:10:15people.

01:10:16Artifacts found in the cave, including stones with calendar markings and much more, can now be seen in Nevada museums

01:10:22and at the Smithsonian.

01:10:23An ancient metropolis in Serbia. Near the Tamish river in Vojvodina, Serbia, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an ancient

01:10:33settlement spanning 13 hectares.

01:10:35This Neolithic city was surrounded by defensive ditches, which indicates its importance and scale.

01:10:40The excavations were conducted jointly with specialists from various European research institutions, who used state-of-the-art equipment for

01:10:48geographical surveys.

01:10:50These studies helped reveal the existence of a previously unknown megalopolis that existed here about 7,000 years ago.

01:10:57The discovered artifacts indicate that the settlement was associated with the Vincha culture, the ancient inhabitants of southeastern Europe who

01:11:06lived there between 5,400 and 4,500 BCE.

01:11:12The size and structure of the settlement are impressive, and the geographical data details its layout.

01:11:18The megalopolis likely suffered from a major fire, which left behind many burnt houses.

01:11:23This could have been the result of a raid or a catastrophe, after which the settlement was abandoned.

01:11:29In addition, the found data indicates the presence of at least four defensive ditches, suggesting a high risk of attacks

01:11:36in those days.

01:11:38Women are forbidden from seeing this mask.

01:11:40The Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford has removed a wooden mask made by the Igbo people of

01:11:47Nigeria from display.

01:11:49According to the beliefs of this people, women are forbidden to see the mask.

01:11:53And only men are allowed to use it during ceremonies and rituals.

01:11:56The museum has put up a cultural safety warning sign and removed the image of the mask from its website.

01:12:02The Igbo mask holds deep cultural significance, symbolizing spiritual power and safeguarding the tribe's traditions.

01:12:09It was used exclusively by men, emphasizing its importance in religious and social rituals.

01:12:15Art historian Ruth Millington noted that denying all women access to the artifact because of the taboo of one culture

01:12:21was an extreme measure.

01:12:23She believes women should have the right to decide for themselves whether they want to see the mask after learning

01:12:28about its cultural background.

01:12:30The Amber Room

01:12:32The Amber Room is one of the greatest wonders of the world, often described as the eighth wonder of the

01:12:38world.

01:12:40Originally created in the early 18th century for the Kingdom of Prussia, it was presented to Peter the Great in

01:12:451716 as a token of the Russo-Prussian alliance.

01:12:49Subsequently, the room was relocated to St. Petersburg and installed in the Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Silo.

01:12:56Crafted from several tons of amber, it was a masterpiece of decorative and applied art, adorned with gold leaf and

01:13:02mirrors, creating a warm luminous interior.

01:13:06During World War II, when Nazi troops captured Tsarskoe Silo, the Amber Room was dismantled and transported to Königsberg, now

01:13:14Kaliningrad, Russia, where it was exhibited in a museum.

01:13:18After the war, all traces of the room were lost, and its whereabouts remain one of the greatest mysteries of

01:13:23the 20th century.

01:13:25For decades, researchers, historians and treasure hunters have tried to find the Amber Room.

01:13:31There are various theories about its fate.

01:13:33Some claim that it was destroyed during the bombings.

01:13:37Others believe that it's still hidden deep underground or in secret vaults.

01:13:41In 2003, the reconstruction of the Amber Room was completed in Russia, recreated by craftsmen using blueprints and photographs of

01:13:49the original,

01:13:49which became a symbol of restoring a lost cultural treasure.

01:13:53The search for the Amber Room holds something greater than just the desire to find a lost treasure.

01:13:58It is a journey through history, culture and international relations, reflecting humanity's endless desire to reconnect with the past and

01:14:07pass it on to future generations.

01:14:09Giants of Sardinia

01:14:11On Sardinia, a mysterious island in the Mediterranean Sea, archaeologists uncovered unique artifacts known as the Giants of Monte Prama.

01:14:21These statues are striking in their size and craftsmanship.

01:14:24And their name underscores their exceptional size.

01:14:28According to some studies, these figures might have been created based on legends of ancient giants who inhabited the island

01:14:35thousands of years ago.

01:14:36These statues are a testament to the high level of culture that existed in Sardinia in ancient times.

01:14:42And they may reflect the myths and religious beliefs of that era.

01:14:45The giants of Monte Prama are stone figures depicting full-length humans, often armed and clad in traditional armor of

01:14:53that era.

01:14:53Some theories suggest that the figures may have been created in honor of particularly significant individuals or heroes of that

01:15:00era, perhaps even actual giants who truly existed.

01:15:03This idea is fueled by local legends and lore passed down from generation to generation by the people of Sardinia.

01:15:10Thus, the giant statues of Monte Prama leave behind many questions regarding their origin, purpose and the ones they were

01:15:18meant to depict.

01:15:18The most prevalent opinion about their origin is, naturally, that they are of extraterrestrial origin.

01:15:24As some scholars claim, these statues are full-scale replicas of guests from outer space.

01:15:29Ancient people wanted to immortalize their image on Earth as a gesture of gratitude.

01:15:34Supposedly, thousands of years ago, certain technologies and knowledge were received from these beings.

01:15:40Naturally, we can neither confirm nor deny this, so let us move on.

01:15:44An artifact more precious than gold.

01:15:47In 2023 in Carlisle, Northern England, on the site of an ancient Roman bathhouse, a unique artifact was discovered, made

01:15:55from a special substance more valuable than gold, to the ancient Romans.

01:15:59This object, uncovered by volunteers and archaeologists, is a solid sample of Tyrian purple.

01:16:05To produce this ancient dye, around 12,000 mollusks, native to the Mediterranean region, had to be processed.

01:16:13Tyrian purple is most famous for its production in the city of Tyre.

01:16:17Tyrian purple was prized for its vibrancy and durability, and it was used to dye clothing and paint walls.

01:16:23The process of making it was complex and laborious, making this pigment extremely expensive and accessible only to the upper

01:16:29classes of Roman society.

01:16:31The sample found in Carlisle was used to create frescoes or dye fabrics.

01:16:36It is the only known solid sample of Tyrian purple in Northern Europe, and possibly in the entire Roman Empire.

01:16:43This discovery not only highlights the complexity and richness of ancient Roman culture, but also fosters further study into the

01:16:50interactions among ancient civilizations

01:16:52and the spread of their cultural and material achievements beyond traditional borders.

01:17:02Archaeologists have discovered a collection of medieval gaming pieces in a forgotten castle in southern Germany.

01:17:07Among the finds are a well-preserved chess piece, gaming tokens and dice dating back to the 11th and 12th

01:17:13centuries.

01:17:14These items offer a unique glimpse into early gaming culture.

01:17:17Particularly significant is the discovery of a chess piece in the shape of a knight, which dates back to the

01:17:23early period of the games spread across Europe.

01:17:25Laboratory analysis showed that one side played with red pieces.

01:17:29Weather marks on the piece indicate that the rules of the game have been preserved to this day.

01:17:33In the Middle Ages, chess was one of the seven skills that a good knight had to master.

01:17:39This explains why many finds of chess pieces come from castles.

01:17:43In addition to the chess piece, floral game tokens and a six-sided die carved from antler were found.

01:17:49These artifacts found beneath the debris of the wall allow scholars to gain a deeper understanding of the gaming culture

01:17:56of the medieval nobility.

01:17:57In the future, researchers plan to conduct further analyses to learn more about the origins of European chess and the

01:18:03significance of gaming in the lives of medieval knights.

01:18:06Thousands of strange holes in Peru.

01:18:09Across the territory of Peru, archaeologists discover hundreds, even thousands of artifacts and various finds that defy explanation.

01:18:18I'll be honest, many of these finds are fakes and their creators are just cashing in on gullible people.

01:18:24In the Pisco Valley, archaeologists discovered thousands of holes.

01:18:28The Peruvians themselves call them by different names.

01:18:30Monte Sierpe, which translates to Serpent Mountain.

01:18:33Cerro Viruela, which literally translates to smallpox hill or simply the band of holes.

01:18:39But the most unusual name was coined online.

01:18:42They call it an alien egg incubator.

01:18:45These pits are located in a very hard to reach area, which is why few scientists have been able to

01:18:50visit.

01:18:51That's why it's still impossible to explain the origin of the holes.

01:18:55They were first spotted from an airplane back in the 1930s.

01:18:58In the 50s, the first scientific expedition came here, managing to calculate the size and number of the pits.

01:19:06The band of holes stretched for one and a half kilometers and the band was 14 to 20 meters wide.

01:19:11And the number of pits shocked the researchers.

01:19:14There were more than 5,000 of them.

01:19:16The first idea the scientists had was an ancient mass grave.

01:19:20That raised even more questions.

01:19:23The pits are 2 to 3 feet deep.

01:19:25Nearby, there are no traces of human presence.

01:19:28No artifacts from ancient civilizations.

01:19:30Absolutely nothing that could provide even the slightest clue to explain this place.

01:19:35Archaeologists have various theories about the origin of these pits.

01:19:38But most of them are pseudo-scientific.

01:19:40One thing is known for sure.

01:19:41These pits are at least hundreds of years old and they were most likely created by humans.

01:19:46Feel free to share your theories in the comments about what they might have been used for in the past.

01:19:51The oldest photograph in Germany.

01:19:54The invention of photography is generally dated to 1839.

01:19:58However, a picture was discovered in Munich that changes history.

01:20:03A photo taken two years earlier was found in a German museum.

01:20:07The 4x4 cm image depicts the Munich landmark, the Frauenkirche Cathedral.

01:20:13The photo was taken by German scientist Franz von Coebel in 1837.

01:20:18Researcher Cornelia Kemp found this image in the archives.

01:20:21Previously, the oldest photo in Germany was believed to date back to 1839.

01:20:26It was in that year that Louis Daguerre invented the daguerreotype.

01:20:31But the Munich discovery shows that the first photograph in Germany was taken in March 1837.

01:20:37Coebel noted the date on the back of the salt print photo.

01:20:41In the photograph, the Frauenkirche appears as a shadow against the dark sky.

01:20:46The image is flipped and was exposed for hours.

01:20:49Germany's oldest photograph won't be on view in the museum's permanent exhibition.

01:20:52It will be kept in a special temperature-controlled room.

01:20:57The healing properties of Stonehenge.

01:20:59Stonehenge, shrouded in an aura of mysticism and ancient secrets,

01:21:03remains one of the most enigmatic archaeological sites in the world.

01:21:08Erected in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, this monument attracts researchers' attention with its unique stones and mystical past.

01:21:15The archaeological finds around Stonehenge are astonishing in their diversity.

01:21:19From human remains to everyday objects.

01:21:23Among the most significant discoveries are numerous burials, believed to belong to people who traveled here from different parts of

01:21:31ancient Britain and even Europe.

01:21:34The skeletons unearthed around Stonehenge often show signs of surgery and other medical treatments, leading to speculation that this site

01:21:42might have been used for healing.

01:21:44There are several theories regarding the original purpose of Stonehenge.

01:21:48Some scholars consider it an ancient astronomical calendar, while others see it as a site for rituals and celebrations.

01:21:55Yet hypotheses proposing Stonehenge as a healing center attract particular attention.

01:22:00This theory is supported by the analysis of human remains and artifacts discovered around the monument,

01:22:06many of which point to pilgrimages by people in search of healing.

01:22:10The rough stones of Stonehenge, brought from the mountainous regions of Wales,

01:22:14are unique in that their origin lies over 200 km away, making their presence here a true engineering mystery.

01:22:22According to some researchers, ancient people may have attributed special healing properties to these stones,

01:22:29which could have been the reason they were transported over such a great distance.

01:22:34Archaeological data and scientific research support the theory of Stonehenge's medical use.

01:22:39Analyses of the bones show that many of the people buried here suffered from serious illnesses or injuries,

01:22:45and may have sought healing from these mystical stones.

01:22:47This function of Stonehenge fits into the context of a broad network of ancient beliefs and rituals prevalent among Bronze

01:22:54Age peoples in Britain.

01:22:55Beyond healing, Stonehenge could have served as a community gathering place for ceremonies linked to seasonal changes,

01:23:02the fertility of the land, and ancestor veneration.

01:23:05The mystique surrounding Stonehenge remains the subject of numerous debates and speculations.

01:23:10The mysterious stones continue to draw researchers and pilgrims alike,

01:23:14and every new discovery only fuels scholarly curiosity,

01:23:18shrouding this ancient monument in new layers of mystery and speculation about its true role in the ancient world.

01:23:25And you can learn even more about ancient mysteries on our channel.

01:23:29Subscribe and share this video with your friends.

01:23:31Thanks for watching. Bye everyone.

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