Humans have been on this planet for about six million years. Although this is just a miniscule amount of time compared to the history of the planet, it’s been plenty of time for mankind to create some really bizarre things. And humans are really good at making really bizarre things. In this article, we’re going to look at 10 artifacts from the ancient world that we simply just don’t understand.
10 The Antikythera Mechanism
Discovered in 1901 in a shipwreck off the coast of Greece, this ancient Greek device is thought to be the oldest example of an analogue computer. Archeologists believe it was used to predict the position of the sun, moon, and planets. But the complexity of the mechanism has astonished scientists, as the evidence suggests it was made more than 2,000 years ago. Is it possible ancient humans were more advanced than we first thought?
9 The Voynich Manuscript
This ancient tome was discovered in Italy during the early 20th century. What stands out about this book is that it’s filled with strange drawings and symbols whose purpose remains a mystery, despite the best efforts of scholars and codebreakers. Some theories suggest that the book was created as a hoax, while others believe it may be a code or a lost language.
8 The Baghdad Battery
The Baghdad Battery is a small clay jar found in Iraq, which dates back to around 250 BC. The jar contains a copper cylinder and an iron rod, which would have been able to produce an electrical current if filled with an acidic solution. Some archeologists believe it may have been used for electroplating or medical purposes but without any additional evidence, those are just hypotheses, and its true purpose continues to allude us.
7 The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica
These strange, perfectly round stones are believed to have been created by a pre-Columbian civilization over a thousand years ago. Their sizes range from a few inches to over 8 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 16 tons. The purpose of these spheres is still unknown, but some theories suggest that they were used as a form of ancient art or as markers for important locations.
6 The Nazca Lines
This series of giant geoglyphs in Peru were created by the ancient Nazca people more than 2,000 years ago. They depict various animals, plants, and geometric shapes, but what makes them unique is that they can only be fully appreciated from high in the air. The purpose of the Nazca Lines is still unknown, but some theories suggest that they may have been used as an astronomical calendar, while others believe they were created for religious purposes or communication with aliens.
5 The Coso Artifact
The Coso Artifact is a mysterious object found in 1961 in Olancha California. On the outside, the Coso artifact looks like a normal geode, but when cracked open it revealed what appeared to be a sparkplug. The discovery of this 1920’s-era device in a supposed 500,000 year old rock has “sparked” the interest of scientists and conspiracy theories alike. Those who don’t believe the artifact was left behind by an ancient technologically-advanced time-travelingsociety believe the manmade tech was not encased in a geode, but a concretion from much earlier than originally believed.
4 The Phaistos Disc
This disk-shaped object made of fired clay was discovered in 1908 on the Greek island of Crete. The disc is covered with symbols arranged in a spiral pattern on both sides and is believed to date back to the second millennium BCE. The purpose and meaning of the symbols remain a mystery, as the language or script used on the disc has yet to be deciphered. Some scholars believe that the disc may be a religious or ritual object, while others have suggested that it could be a form of early writing or even a board game. Whatever its purpose, the Phaistos Disc remains one of the most enigmatic artifacts of the ancient world.
3 The Easter Island Moai
These giant stone statues were created by the Rapa Nui people on Easter Island. The statues range in size from 3 to 33 feet in height and weigh as much as 75 tons. It’s believed the statues were created to honor ancestors or represent powerful chiefs.
But what has stumped researchers about these monoliths is how the Rapa Nui people transported and erected such large statues with limited technology at their disposal.
2 The Rongorongo Tablets
The Rongorongo Tablets are a series of wooden tablets with engravings that were created by the Rapa Nui people of Easter Island. These tablets are the only known systemized form of writing to come out of Polynesia. Unfortunately, despite years of research, the tablets have never been translated. Although these artifacts could’ve been used for sacred chants or incantations, the Rongorongo Tablets remain one of the most significant linguistic mysteries of the modern era.
1 The Codex Gigas
This medieval manuscript is also known as the Devil’s Bible due to its unusual full-page portrait of Satan within. According to legend, this massive book was created as a plea deal for a monk who broke his monastic vows. In order to avoid what would certainly be a death penalty, the monk promised he would write this book that contained both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, historical and medical texts, and even a treatise on exorcism, in a single night. Knowing he couldn’t do it alone, the monk was said to have muttered a special prayer to Lucifer, who helped him complete the work in time. There have been several tests to recreate the work in the same period of time, but it’s believed doing so would take more than twenty years of non-stop writing.
So, there you have it, ten strange artifacts that remain shrouded in mystery. From advanced astronomical devices to ancient scripts that have yet to be deciphered, these artifacts continue to intrigue and fascinate historians and researchers to this day. While some of these mysteries may never be fully solved, they remind us of the vast depths of human history and the incredible ingenuity of our ancestors.
What other artifacts do you think should make this list? Let us know in the comments!
46 Series Entertainment 