Unsolved Mysteries Of Ancient Places 

When there's not enough evidence to explain a phenomenon, it leads to conspiracies. There's still ongoing research for bewildering landmarks on Earth that date back thousands of years ago. From alien speculations to lost civilizations, there are some crazy theories about the world's most puzzling monuments.  

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1. Easter Island Stone Heads

How did a bunch of 80-ton stone heads end up on a treeless island in the Pacific Ocean? The row of giant heads called Moai on Easter Island is undoubtedly a mysterious monument. It is thought to be the work of Polynesian inhabitants who moved the heavy stones with tree logs. That’s right–– tree logs–– on an island that grows no trees?

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2. Stonehenge

As one of the most recognized wonders of the world, Stonehenge intrigues mystery hunters worldwide. The distinct stacks of heavy stones are peculiar and we have no idea how they were built. There’s a list of conspiracies depicting that the site could’ve been an astronomical observatory, a giant instrument, or a place of healing. Of course, speculations of alien involvement in its construction is an ongoing belief.      

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3. Underwater Ruins Of Alexandria

Off the shore of the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria, fascinating ruins and artifacts lie on the ocean floor. Conspiracies suggest that the submerged ruins are from the royal quarters of Cleopatra. Her palace was destroyed and washed away after an earthquake struck the area over 1,500 years ago.   

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4. Area 51

Was it aliens? Area 51 is a US Air Force military facility located in southern Nevada that has spawned countless theories. The place holds many secrets and the research conducted there is unknown by outsiders. UFO sightings have been frequently reported landing in the vicinity with the belief that the government is examining alien aircraft.   

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5.  Palenque

Palenque was a Maya city state in Mexico that thrived in the 7th century. The biggest mystery of the city involves its disappearance, with only one monument that still stands. It’s believed that the remaining temple was built to align with astronomical phenomena without the use of telescopes. The disappearing civilization is speculated to be the cause of drought, disease, or warfare.  

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6. Machu Picchu

Peru’s breathtaking landmark attracts thousands of tourists each year but nobody knows how or why it was built in the first place. There are several theories to explain its creation and past inhabitants. Could it have been used as a prison because of its cell-like area and isolated location? Or was it a holy retreat for city nobles practicing ceremonies and rituals?   

 Vlad D on Unsplash

7. Nazca Lines

Peru baffles us again with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Nazca Lines. Researchers have been studying this ancient mystery for years and it keeps getting more intriguing. Hundreds of lines, shapes, and animal drawings are carved into the land but are only fully visible from an aerial view, sparking theories of extraterrestrial landing strips or routes to water sources.  

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8. Hagar Qim

The Neolithic site in Malta is an ancient religious site of gigantic standing stones. It is believed these stone structures are temples that line up with the sunrise and sunset during the summer solstice. The biggest mystery is how they were built with little evidence of their occupants. One theory claims it was built by a lost civilization that came 5,000 years earlier than its recorded date of establishment.  

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9. Gobekli Tepe

This mystery site in Turkey predates Stonehenge by 6000 years which explains why it has no written records. Very little is understood about the countless pillars and stone circles that remain. Speculations are abundant, some claiming the stones could’ve been a massive temple complex in the center of a cult.  

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10.  Bermuda Triangle

More than 50 ships and planes have reportedly vanished without a trace in this section of the North Atlantic. There are many theories to explain the mysterious disappearances and some are extraordinary. It could be a time vortex we have yet to understand, a gateway to the underground of hell, or energy crystals from the lost city of Atlantis blocking electronic systems.     

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11. Egyptian Pyramids

As the most well-known historical monuments in the world, The Great Pyramids have puzzled us for centuries. Numerous studies have been researched over time and we still do not know everything about the ancient Egyptians. The most otherworldly conspiracy theory is that they were plonked there by aliens from another planet. 

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12. Carnac Standing Stones

In a town called Carnac in France, there are more standing stones to baffle us–– about 3,000 prehistoric stones in fact. Archaeologists can’t explain how or why the site is there so naturally there are several speculations. Do we believe the legend that Pope Cornelius turned a pagan army into rocks?     

 Johanneke Kroesbergen-Kamps on Unsplash

13. The Guidestones

For forty years the Georgia Guidestones stood as a testament to the granite industry, with engravings of cryptic messages that angered some people. One night in 2022 the granite monument was blown up by a bomb, the instigator is unknown. Conspiracies were spun from the mysterious demolition, one going as far as to say that it was an act of God striking it with lightning and not a bomb at all. 

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15. The Fountain Of The Fallen Angel

This fountain is one for the superstitious folks. The fountain in Madrid depicts a statue of Lucifer falling from Heaven. It happens to be at 666 meters above sea level which has led many people to believe it was a message from the devil himself.  

Javier Perez Montes on Wikimedia

16. Newgrange 

In County Meath, Ireland, a huge ancient monument was built before Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids. The most striking mystery about it is its chamber that aligns with the rising sun during the winter solstice and puts on a light show. The tomb mound is believed to have been the home of The Dagda, supernatural beings linked to the island’s earliest citizens.       

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17. Banteay Srei

Banteay Srei is a 10th-century temple in Cambodia dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. It’s an unusually small size compared to all the other temples in the region and we’re told it was the only temple that wasn’t commissioned by the reigning monarch. What makes this temple more crazy?–– Legend says it was constructed by women.  

 JJ Ying on Unsplash

18. The Tower Of London Ravens

The ravens that live in the Tower of London may be more important than any armed guard. If you want to believe King Charles II, apparently he warned the crown that if the 6 resident ravens ever flew the fortress the tower would fall, taking down the entire kingdom with it. Is that a super superstition or what?    

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19. Yonaguni Monument

Near Yonaguni Island in Japan there is an underwater rock structure that wasn't discovered until the 80s. Its origins remain uncertain with arguments about it being man-made or natural. The carvings in the rock and the multiple structures suggests that it could be the remains of a lost civilization and an ancient city.

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20. Qumran & The Dead Sea Scrolls

In caves by the Dead Sea several ancient copper scrolls were found. The scrolls depict a vast amount of hidden treasure! Researchers still haven't found out if the treasure is real, where it could possibly be hidden, or if it's been found. Theories suggest that they were made by a unknown settlement in attempt to prevent a Roman takeover.

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) on Wikimedia