Unlocking the Past: 20 Intriguing Historical Finds
By Sophia Maddox | April 9, 2024
Silver Coffin of Psusennes I: Intricately Carved by Workers in Ancient Egypt
Embark on a journey through time as we uncover remarkable discoveries from the past. These treasures not only provide glimpses into ancient civilizations but also offer insights into the lives of our ancestors. Some were buried deep underground, while others lay hidden beneath layers of earth, waiting to be unearthed. From enigmatic relics to forgotten technologies, each artifact tells a compelling story, igniting our curiosity and challenging our understanding of the past. Join us as we explore these fascinating finds and unravel the mysteries of human history together. Get ready to be entertained, informed, and inspired by the wonders of our shared heritage.
The silver coffin of Psusennes I, also known as Hor-Pasebakhaenniut I, was discovered in the royal burial site of Tanis, Egypt, in 1939. Psusennes I ruled during the 21st dynasty of Egypt. French archaeologist Pierre Montet made the discovery, but researchers are puzzled by why it stayed hidden for so long.
The coffin is 6.2 feet long. Workers in about 1001 BC may have made the entire coffin from silver, while others argue that the coffin was repurposed. It is much bigger than others found from the same period. They worked hard to create detailed carvings of Egyptian gods. One carving shows Osiris, the god of the afterlife, and another shows Isis, the goddess of magic and wisdom.
The coffin gave insight into religious practices during his reign. Its discovery also gave historians important information about burial customs.
Stone Spheres in Costa Rica: Ancient Marvels Found in Jungles Baffle Archaeologists
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica
In the lush jungles of southwest Costa Rica lie stone spheres. Workers clearing land found them in the 1930s, some on Diquis Delta and others on the Isla del Caño. They are made from granodiorite, a hard igneous rock not native to the region. Some are small, about the size of a bowling ball, and others are about the size of a family sedan. The largest weighs about 16 tons.
Historians believe they date back about 1,500 years. Yet, they cannot explain how workers made them. Some believe that people carved them, while others believe they have mystical origins. A few historians even think an advanced culture made them with superior technology.
The stone spheres seem to be placed in specific patterns, which has led some historians to speculate they have a ceremonial purpose. There is a lingering belief that people created them to show their power.
Stonehenge: Remains an Enduring Mystery That Ancient Peoples Constructed Thousands of Years Ago
Stonehenge is on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It's an ancient monument made up of large standing stones. The stones are in a circle, and they are different sizes. The larger stones are sandstone, while the smaller stones are a type of volcanic rock called dolerite. Historians believe people moved the large stones about 20 miles, from the Marlborough Downs. They think workers moved the smaller stones about 150 miles from the Preseli Hills. No one knows how they moved them.
Someone placed them there about 5,000 years ago, but historians do not know who or why. Theories have ranged from being an ancient burial site to being used for ceremonies or religious rituals. Others believe that the site was an astronomical observatory. Stonehenge continues to intrigue scientists, historians, and visitors.
Terracotta Army: A Vast Array of Sculptures Guarding China's First Emperor's Tomb
The Terracotta Army is an extensive collection of clay soldiers near Xi'an in the Shaanxi province of China. Farmers discovered the first ones in 1974 when they were digging a well. Soon, others found more in an area that covers about 22 square miles in numerous pits. They were made over 2,000 years ago. Each soldier is different, with unique faces and uniforms. Some are archers, some are horsemen, and others are generals. Historians believe that workers at different pits made soldiers of varying ranks. Others made chariots and other things to go with the soldiers.
There is some debate about the purpose of the Terracotta Army. Many believe workers created them to usher the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife. Others propose that the army had ceremonial or symbolic significance.
Dead Sea Scrolls: Ancient Manuscripts Discovered in Caves Near the Dead Sea Shed Light on History
The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient manuscripts containing religious texts and other writings. They are in different languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. A Bedouin shepherd named Muhammad al-Qummi discovered the first one in 1946. He was herding his sheep near the ancient ruins of Qumran, located on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in Israel. They were not found all at once. Instead, numerous people discovered them in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Historians think the Essenes, a group of Jewish people, wrote them from about the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. Over 900 manuscripts have been found, some of them whole. Most are fragments that are in thousands of pieces. The scrolls contain a wide range of texts including Bible books, sectarian writings, legal documents, and poetry.
Rosetta Stone: Key To Deciphering Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Uncovered in Egypt in 1799
The Rosetta Stone is a black basalt stone with carvings on it. Soldiers serving under Napoleon Bonaparte discovered the stone in 1799. It measures about 3 feet 9 inches tall and 2 feet 4.5 inches wide. Workers created it in 196 BCE during the reign of Ptolemy V, a ruler of Egypt, to commemorate the pharaoh's achievements and honor him as a god. The date and other words are on the stone in three languages: Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and Egyptian demotic script.
French scholar Jean-François Champollion spent a lot of time studying the writing on the stone. Although he did most of his work in 1822, historians still apply what he learned to other writings from the same period. The Rosetta Stone is currently at the British Museum in London.
Staffordshire Hoard: A Large Collection of Anglo-Saxon Gold and Silver Metalwork Found in England in 2009
Terry Herbert was using a metal detector when he discovered the Staffordshire Hoard in July 2009. The hoard contained over 3,500 items, including sword fittings, helmet fragments, and intricate jewelry pieces. Most items found in a field near Staffordshire, England were silver or gold. Some say that someone buried the hoard to keep it safe. Others believe it was buried as an offering to the gods.
Historians have learned a lot about the early medieval period from this collection. Objects from distant lands suggest extensive trade networks and cultural exchange. The sheer quantity of precious metals indicates that the people were wealthy. Historians were also able to learn more about different segments of society. Furthermore, the hoard's burial provides clues about religious beliefs and practices, hinting at rituals involving offerings or protection.
Moai: Massive Stone Statues Found on Easter Island, Representing Ancestral Figures of Polynesian Culture
The Moai are giant stone statues on Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui. People living on the island likely carved the statues between 1100 and 1680. Most of these statues are very tall, with some standing almost 33 feet high with large faces.
Most historians believe that the Rapa Nui people carved them as a tribute to their ancestors. They were a way for the Rapa Nui to show respect and remember those who came before them. The Moai represent a connection between the living and the dead, serving as a link to their past and reinforcing social bonds within the community. Other historians suggest that the people used the statues as geographical markers. For example, they may have pointed to lakes or other water sources.
Olduvai Gorge: Unveils Early Human Evolutionary History
Olduvai Gorge is in Tanzania, East Africa. It's known as the "Cradle of Humankind." The gorge is a deep ravine about 30 miles long and 295 feet deep, cutting through the Serengeti Plain. It became prominent after Louis and Mary Leakey explored it in the early 20th century, but scientists still regularly look for fossils in the gorge.
It is famous for the many fossils and artifacts found there. The oldest fossils found in Olduvai Gorge are approximately 2 million years old. These fossils belong to early hominins, which are ancient human-like creatures. The Olduvai Hominid 5 is one of the most famous fossils unearthed in the gorge, which is an almost complete skull of a male Homo habilis, an early human ancestor. This fossil provides valuable information about what early humans looked like and their behaviors. Researchers have also found stone tools, animal bones, and fossilized plant remains.
Library of Ashurbanipal: Ancient Collection of Clay Tablets and Documents Unearthed in Nineveh, Iraq
Austen Henry Layard discovered the Library of Ashurbanipal while excavating the ancient city of Nineveh. It earned its name from King Ashurbanipal of Assyria, the last king of the Assyrian Empire, in the 7th century BCE. It is one of the oldest known libraries in the world, near the modern-day city of Mosul in northern Iraq. Researchers have unearthed more than 30,000 clay tablets. The king stored the clay tablets in different rooms in his royal palace, but today they are in various museums. Some are in the British Museum in London, others in the Louvre in Paris, and others at the Iraq Museum in Baghdad.
The library contained a vast array of texts covering subjects such as literature, science, history, religion, and law. These tablets were written in cuneiform script, one of the earliest writing systems developed in the world.
The City of Troy: A Legendary Ancient Settlement Made Famous by the Trojan War
The ancient city of Troy is in the northwest of modern-day Turkey, near the Dardanelles Strait and the Aegean Sea. It is strategically positioned on a hill known as Hisarlık, overlooking the surrounding plains and waterways. The discovery of Troy captured the imagination of people around the world. It fueled debates about the history of the Trojan War. Homer described this city in his poetry, especially the Iliad and the Odyssey.
Historians believe people lived in Troy from around the 3rd millennium BCE until its destruction in the 12th century BCE. German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann led much of the excavation work in the late 19th century. He uncovered layers of ruins corresponding to different periods of occupation. His team discovered defensive walls, houses, and pottery.
Hoxne Hand Axes: Prehistoric Stone Tools Discovered in England Offer Insights Into Early Human Technology
John Frere discovered the Hoxne hand axes in a brick pit near Hoxne, England, in 1797. He was the first to recognize their significance as ancient tools in a letter. He described them as some weapons used for hand warfare. Further research has suggested that they were used for various purposes, including butchering animals, cutting wood, and digging. The axes are about 12 inches long. Each has a flint tear-shaped head, indicating high craftsmanship and efficiency.
Scientists have determined that these tools are approximately 400,000 years old. They are some of the oldest flint tools found in England. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of early human history in the region. The Hoxne hand axes provide valuable insights into the lifestyle of early humans during the Lower Paleolithic period.
Göbekli Tepe: Ancient Archaeological Site in Turkey Reveals the World's Oldest Known Temple Complex
Göbekli Tepe in Southeast Turkey contains more than 20 temple complexes. Each complex consists of more than 20 circular or rectangular limestone buildings. Workers constructed them about 10,000 years ago, with each complex measuring up to 65 feet wide. In all, the complexes cover about one acre.
Each complex had multiple tall pillars, some up to 16 feet tall and weighing about 10 tons. Workers carved elaborate pictures depicting animals, symbols, and abstract designs on them. Their designs may have had religious purposes. Workers likely used flint tools to carve them nearby before putting them into position.
Before finding Göbekli Tepe, historians believed that early people learned to farm before they developed religious practices. This site proves that hunter-gatherer communities may have considered worship just as important. The large stone structures at this site are the oldest megaliths in the world.
Knossos Tablets: Provide Insights Into Minoan Civilization and Culture
The Knossos tablets are a collection of clay tablets created about 3,500 years ago. British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans discovered them while excavating the site between 1900 and 1930. He found them in the Royal Palace at Knossos on the island of Crete, Greece.
Many of the tablets contain writing in Linear B script, the oldest known precursor of the Greek language. The tablets are the oldest example of people using this script. The tablets have lists of commodities, inventories of goods, and administrative records. Some of them may also contain religious or ritual texts. They helped historians understand more about Mycenaean society. At least two other scripts are used on the tablets, but historians have not been able to decipher them yet.
Hand of Irulegi: Puzzling Experts in Pamplona, Spain
People at a dig site near Pamplona, Spain, found the Hand of Irulegi. They dug out an area where a roof had collapsed and trapped artifacts for thousands of years. Someone has chiseled five lines of text onto the palm. Historians have yet to find out what the words mean but believe they may come from the Euskara language. If so, this is one of the oldest examples of this language, which led to the development of the Basque language. Mattin Aiestaran led the team that found the artifact in June 2021.
Researchers believe someone made it in the Late Bronze Age. They are still determining the hand's purpose. Some suggest it is an amulet. They think residents hung it above the home's door to protect them. Others believe it is a necklace warriors would have worn to protect them.
Ebla Archive: Collection of Clay Tablets Unearthed in Ebla, Syria Offer Insights Into Ancient Mesopotamian Civilization
Archeologists uncovered 18,000 complete clay tablets, about 4,700 fragments, and thousands of minor chips in the ancient city of Ebla, Syria. They refer to these tablets as the Ebla Archive. They date back about 5,000 years and are some of the oldest records ever found. Italian archaeologist Paolo Matthiae was the first to find them on collapsed shelves in 1974. Researchers had already been working at the site for about 10 years before they discovered the tablets.
These tablets contain much information, including administrative records, economic transactions, legal documents, diplomatic correspondence, religious rituals, and literary texts. They are written in the Eblaite language. The tablets reveal a sophisticated urban center and show that the area had a diverse culture and language during the Bronze Age.
Rimini Surgeon's House: Archaeological Site Reveals Ancient Medical Practices
The Rimini Surgeon's House is in Rimini, Italy. Workers discovered it in 1989 while doing construction work in the oldest part of the city. The Surgeon's House site contains many areas arranged around a central courtyard. In all, it covers about 7,500 square feet. The site dates back to the 2nd century CE. Archaeologists found many items, including surgical instruments, medical tools, ceramics, and household items. These objects suggest that medicine in ancient Rome was very sophisticated. Historians are unsure if the people on the site were doctors or wealthy occupants with access to medical instruments. The Rimini Surgeon's House is open to visitors, allowing them to learn about the medical practices of the time.
Queen Neith Tomb: Ancient Burial Site Associated With Queen Neith in Egypt
In 2020, archeologists started unearthing the pyramid where Neith had been buried. It is near Abydos, in Central Egypt. Archeologists are unsure if she was a queen. Instead, she may have been an essential member of the Egyptian government in about 3000 BCE. In a nearby tomb, scientists found a list of Egyptian kings, and her name was on the list as King Djet's mother. Researchers have known about the tomb since about 1900, but they only started exploring it. They point out that she was the only woman to have a tomb at Egypt's first royal cemetery at Abydos.
Archeologists say the pyramid was built over several construction phases from mud bricks, clay, and wood. Her tomb contained hundreds of jars of grape seeds. The tomb complex also contains the tombs of 41 courtiers and servants.
Holmul Frieze: Intricate Mayan Sculpture Discovered in Holmul, Guatemala Depicts Mythological Scenes
In 2013, archeologist Francisco Estrada-Bell found the Holmul Frieze near Holmul, Guatemala. They found the frieze under a temple, measuring 26 feet by 8 feet. Researchers believe the artwork depicts a young ruler being crowned in about 590. Writing on the frieze shows that a ruler commissioned the work in a nearby city-state. The artist did the piece in stucco. Those looking closely at the artwork can still see traces of its original red, yellow, blue, and green paint.
Researchers feel that the temple built over the piece may have protected it. Otherwise, looters may have stolen the frieze. Ironically, when they discovered the masterpiece, the team was investigating an area at the dig site where looters had broken in. They think the temple is about 200 years younger than the piece, and they are unsure where it was during that time.
Antikythera Mechanism: Ancient Greek Device Used for Astronomical Calculations
The Antikythera mechanism may be the world's first computer. Shipwreck divers off the island of Antikythera, Greece, discovered it in 1901. The machine has a complex arrangement of gears and dials in a wooden box-like structure. The largest gear measured about 5 inches in diameter and had 223 teeth. The wooden box measured about 13.4 inches by 7.1 inches by 3.5 inches.
Researchers believe workers built this machine around 100 BCE, and it was the only machine of its type until the 14th century. It could predict astronomical phenomena, such as the positions of the sun, moon, and planets. It could also predict lunar and solar eclipses. People may have also used it to track the time until essential events, like pre-Olympic Games.
