Understanding our past is what historians and anthropologists seek to do. Looking back we will witness civilizations rise and fall, as humanity walks down a very repetitive path of construction and destruction. Still, there are some ancient cultures that seem incredibly alien to us, legends and strange encounters cast nothing but shadow over some of these peoples. Some are said to be very advanced and tranquil only to vanish with some cataclysm and others, despite stories and accounts of encounters, never seem to have existed. Here is a list of mysteries surrounding ancient peoples.
Most Egyptologists believe the Great Sphinx on the Giza plateau is about 4,500 years old. But that number is just that – a belief, a theory, not a fact. As Robert Bauval says in ‘The Age of the Sphinx’, “there was no inscriptions – not a single one – either carved on a wall or a stela or written on the throngs of papyri” that associates the Sphinx with this time period. So when was it built? John Anthony West challenged the accepted age of the monument when he noted the vertical weathering on its base, which could only have been caused by long exposure to water in the form of heavy rains. In the middle of the desert? Where did the water come from? It so happens that this area of the world experienced such rains – about 10,500 years ago! This would make the Sphinx more than twice its currently accepted age. Bauval and Graham Hancock have calculated that the Great Pyramid likewise dates back to about 10,500 B.C. – predating the Egyptian civilization. This raises the questions: Who built them and why?
I’ll just point out that the general sphinx shape is a natural formation in that part of the world, due to winds + sand. Egyptologists point out that the Egyptians would have noticed the cat-like shape, and then carved in the features.
The famous Nazca lines can be found in a desert about 200 miles south of Lima, Peru. On a plain measuring approximately 37 miles long and one mile wide are etched lines and figures that have puzzled the scientific world since their discovery in the 1930s. The lines run perfectly straight, some parallel to one another, many intersecting, making the lines look from the air like ancient airport runways. This prompted Erich von Daniken in his book Chariots of the Gods to suggest that they actually were runways for extraterrestrial craft. More intriguing are the gigantic figures of 70-some animals carved into the ground – a monkey, a spider, and a hummingbird among others. The puzzle is that these lines and figures are of such a scale that they can only be recognized from a high altitude. So what is their significance? Some believe they have an astronomical purpose, while others think they served in religious ceremonies. A recent theory suggests the lines lead to sources of precious water. The truth is, no one really knows.
There are many, many, many theories as to the true location of Atlantis. We get the legend of Atlantis from Plato who wrote about the beautiful, technologically advanced continent-sized island back in 370 B.C., but his description of its location was limited and vague. Many, of course, conclude that Atlantis never really existed. Those who think it did exist have sought evidence or at least clues in almost every corner of the globe. Edgar Cayce’s famous prophecies said remnants of Atlantis would be found around Bermuda, and in 1969, geometric stone formations were found near Bimini (a.k.a. The Bimini Road) that believers said confirmed Cayce’s prediction. Other proposed locations for Atlantis include Antarctica, Mexico, off the coast of England, possibly even off the coast of Cuba (see below). The controversy and theories will likely continue until someone uncovers a sign saying: “Welkommen zu Atlantis! Eat at Joe’s.” For a more indepth article on Atlantis, go here.
There’s been a lot of hoopla over the supposed prophecies of the Mayan calendar. More people fear it, perhaps, than feared the predicted catastrophes of the year 2000. All the fretting is based on the finding that the Mayan “Long Count” calendar ends on a date that corresponds to our December 21, 2012. What does this mean? The end of the world through some global cataclysm or war? The beginning of a new era, a new Age for mankind? Such prophecies have a long tradition of not coming to pass. But the only way we’ll find out for sure is to wait and see. Just in case, however, in 2012 you might want to do your Christmas shopping early.
In 1940, husband-and-wife archaeological team, Sydney and Georgia Wheeler found a mummy in ‘Spirit Cave’ thirteen miles east of Fallon, Nevada. Upon entering Spirit Cave they discovered the remains of two people wrapped in tule matting. One set of remains, buried deeper than the other, had been partially mummified (the head and right shoulder). The Wheelers, with the assistance of local residents, recovered a total of sixty-seven artifacts from the cave. These artifacts were examined at the Nevada State Museum where they were estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old. 54 years later in 1994, University of California, Riverside anthropologist R. Erv Taylor examined seventeen of the Spirit Cave artifacts using mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the mummy was approximately 9,400 years old — older than any previously known North American mummy. Further study determined that the mummy exhibits Caucasoid characteristics resembling the Ainu (an Ethnic Japanese people), although a definitive affiliation has not been established.
The April 5, 1909 edition of the Arizona Gazette featured an article entitled “Explorations in Grand Canyon: Remarkable finds indicate ancient people migrated from Orient.” According to the article, the expedition was financed by the Smithsonian Institute and discovered artifacts that would, if verified, stand conventional history on its ear. Inside a cavern “hewn in solid rock by human hands” were found tablets bearing hieroglyphics, copper weapons and tools, statues of Egyptian deities and mummies. Although highly intriguing, the truth of this story is in doubt simply because the site has never been re-found. The Smithsonian disavows all knowledge of the discovery, and several expeditions searching for the cavern have come up empty-handed. Was the article just a hoax? “While it cannot be discounted that the entire story is an elaborate newspaper hoax,” writes researcher/explorer David Hatcher Childress, “the fact that it was on the front page, named the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, and gave a highly detailed story that went on for several pages, lends a great deal to its credibility. It is hard to believe such a story could have come out of thin air.” Supporters also claim that the restricted areas (of which even workers at the Canyon) are evidence of the cover-up.
The legendary lost world of Mu, sometimes call Lemuria is nearly as famous as Atlantis and indeed, parallels it closely at times. According to tradition among many Pacific islands, Mu was an “Eden-like” tropical paradise located somewhere in the Pacific that sunk, along with all of its beautiful inhabitants, thousands of years ago (sounds familiar). Like Atlantis, there is ongoing debate as to whether it really existed and, if so, where.
Christopher Columbus is said to have “discovered” America, but of course we all know better than this, as long before him people/peoples had been there, even settled. Native Americans arrived there many centuries before Columbus, and there is good evidence that explorers from other civilizations beat Columbus here, too. Artifacts have now been found suggesting that ancient cultures explored the continent. Greek and Roman coins and pottery have been found in the U.S. and Mexico; Egyptian statues of Isis and Osiris were found in Mexico as well as evidence of Egyptians in the Grand Canyon (see above). Ancient Hebrew and Asian artifacts have also been found. Stories of travellers from distant lands in native myths and folklore also suggest probability.
The truth is, we know very little about early, far-traveling cultures.
In May 2001, an exciting discovery was made by Advanced Digital Communications (ADC) who were mapping the ocean bottom of Cuba’s territorial waters. Sonar readings revealed something unexpected and quite amazing 2,200 feet down: stones laid out in a geometric pattern that looked very much like the ruins of a city. “Nature couldn’t have built anything so symmetrical. This isn’t natural, but we don’t know what it is.” said Paul Weinzweig, of ADC. A great sunken city? National Geographic showed a great deal of interest in the site and was involved in subsequent investigations. In 2003, a minisub dove down to explore the structures. Paulina Zelitsky of ADC said they saw a structure that “looks like it could have been a large urban center. However, it would be totally irresponsible to say what it was before we have evidence.”
Off the southern shore of Okinawa, Japan, under 20 to 100 feet of water lie enigmatic structures that may have been built by some ancient, “lost civilization”. Skeptics say the large, tiered formations are probably natural in origin (which seems crazy looking at the pictures). “Then, in late summer of the following year,” writes Frank Joseph in an article for Atlantis Rising, “another diver in Okinawa waters was shocked to see a massive arch or gateway of huge stone blocks beautifully fitted together in the manner of prehistoric masonry found among the Inca cities on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, in the Andes Mountains of South America.” This seems to confirm that these are manmade ruins. The architecture includes what appear to be paved streets and crossroads, large altar-like formations, staircases leading to broad plazas and processional ways surmounted by pairs of towering features resembling pylons. If it is a sunken city, it is huge. It’s been suggested that it might be the lost civilization of Mu or Lemuria (see above).
This article is re-produced with permission from About.Com
Enoch writes: ancient egypt believed to have used cocaine with possible tie in to over 5,000 years ago some believe over 10,000 years ago which could indicate another civilization existed ancient humans which could have been the creation God destroyed.
In the Sahara desert object thought to be nuclear glass was found in undisturbed area of material which carbon dated over 10,000 years ago which indicates that this may not be the first nuclear technological civilization on earth. The idea that the British Island maybe the place for the Lost tribes of Israel is tied to 18th century belief that England had a divine right to rule the world and building empire.
They fit the theory to the desire. North and South American native populations have a stronger claim to this especially since the found a complete Israeli Soldier tomb with ancient Hebrew markings containing pictures of Ancient Israeli armor in South American jungle Tombs.
The theory about a Messiah coming from the direction the spainards came (of light skin color) did not hurt the Conquisdors in taking over the entire Empires of Central America with as little as two hundred men.
This story could easily have been a byproduct and degeneration of the Israeli scriptures which got lost in a civilization which had great skill but didn’t have a written language lost over a period of time degenerated into a pictorial form of communication but did have the ancient means of using knots to relay messages.
The Building of this empire did bear striking resemblance to ancient Egypt pyramids of which the Hebrews had first hand knowledge of building and would use native labor after using an army to enslave them. The Royal Family and noble families could easily have been started by Israeli settlers who failed to keep up a strict religious way of life and keeping only those parts needed to control nations of slaves.
came across a theory about “British-Israelite” – is there any truth
in this theory of Ireland and Iberia and the GREAT Britian> ? please ?
Thank you for all your work !
– Stephen
Itz wonderful and very impressive article
When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, the scoffers said, “Now we will find discrepancies in the translations from that time unto the present day, especially in the book of Isaiah, because his prophecies regarding Jesus have been just too accurate”.
in the modern Bible. Their silence has been deafening.
It’s amazing how those who read so little are always the biggest critics.
However ignorance is not limited to atheists.
I look at televangelists waving Bibles and not having a clue as to its contents, and all the while asking the gullible to send them money.
I see men dressed in rich robes studded with precious stones and golden miters on their heads, supposedly the shepherds of the Flock, when in fact they are simply fleecing the flock who in most cases are poor, tired and hungry living in fear and superstition of places conjured up by the “church”, places such as Limbo and Purgatory….Oh wait! Limbo was cancelled due to lack of interest after many deceptive centuries..
Where in the Bible does it say that when you die, you either go to Heaven or Hell?
Does it not say that there will be a Day of Resurrection, that Day will last a thousand years? …. A thousand years is but a day unto God. During that thousand years, ALL the dead shall be brought back to life, some to everlasting life and others to judgement.
Those who will be resurrected to everlasting life will be those who died believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, while the others resurrected to judgement will be those who never had the chance of Salvation before Christ walked the Earth, and even those who later rejected his teaching.
During that thousand years, Satan the great deceiver will be bound and cast into an abyss and will not have any influence over mankind.
At the end of the thousand years Reign of Christ, during which, mankind will have seen perfect peace, and no sickness or hurt of any description, Satan will be released once more, and even after witnessing the loving Rule of Christ, many will still follow Satan into the Lake of Fire that was prepared for him. Hell, which is the grave, and Death.. the last enemy of man will also be cast into the Lake of Fire to be destroyed forever.
It is written that those who follow Satan into destruction at the end of that thousand year period, will be no more.
This is called the ‘Second Death’, and from that death there can be no return.
God in his great mercy has said that he would have that none would perish.
The mockers and scoffers who have absolutely no idea of what is written in the Holy Bible, say that it is all myths and lies… They can be compared to critics In the Theatrical World… Critics are simply would be actors with no talent.
Now supposing, just supposing people were to read for themselves what is written;
It’s all there, complete in every detail, unchanged from generation to generation.
What never fails to amaze me is how many people, when confronted by anything they do not immediately understand, attribute it to the supernatural, space aliens, or ancient civilizations. They do this even though there is no verifiable evidence of any of these. But, I must admit, it is easier than thinking.
Science doesn’t know everything, something that is readily admitted by rational people. That doesn’t mean that new discoveries will not make the unknown commonplace. The ancients, meaning even two hundred years ago, would have thought that heavier than air flight was either”the work of the devil” or something equally nonsensical. Now that the laws of aerodynamics are well understood, only the most stubbornly ignorant would make that assumption.
Perhaps in a few decades, all of these “mysteries” will bee found to have natural, logical explanations. Maybe the space aliens will have arrived with the answer, too. Personally, I’m betting on the natural and logical.
Supposing, just supposing that the Old Testament of the Holy Bible is correct, and that the first of all mankind were far superior to what walks the Earth today. Again supposing that men, including Adam up to the time of Noah lived for almost a thousand years and were super human, demi-gods if you will, errecting a pyramid consisting of nine million tons of stone would have presented no problem to them.
When mankind said, “Let us build a tower to make a name for ourselves”, the translation from ziggurat should have been pyrarmid, not tower.
Prior to the great flood of Noah’s time, man never saw the Sun or the Moon, the Earth was within a large bubble…. doubt that? Read it for yourself.
It is written that the waters of the Earth were separated from the land and called seas, above the seas and dry land other water was gathered to form a canopy.
The Flood of Noah’s time was the collapse of that great canopy of water that lasted for forty days and forty nights.
Prior to the Great Flood of Noahs time, it never rained. It is written that the land was irrigated by springs and mists of water from the Earth.
Before the Flood of Noah’s time, all mankind saw was a great light by day and a lesser light by night… again, read this for yourself; don’t take my word for it.
As the rays of the Sun were diffused, there would have been no freezing North or South Poles or boiling Equator. The temperatures all over the Earth probably ranged from 76 to 82 degrees.
Back to the Pyramids…. It’s a joke to think that the Egyptians built them. The best that the ancient Egyptians could do was construct small copies of about one tenth the scale of the Great Pyramids of Giza.
As for the Sphinx, read again about the evidence of how its base shows signs of being under water.
Supposing, just supposing, the entire bible is a badly-translated, politically-edited, collection of myths and lies. That is far more likely than even one bit of it is even remotely true. Yes, I know there are historical events mentioned in the babble that have been verified. So what does that prove? Even an amateur liar will include some facts in a story to make the rest seem credible. “Of course this is true. I said the sun is hot and that’s true isn’t it?”