When people of antiquity found the ruins of bulky buildings, they decided that only huge creatures, for example, cyclops, could erect such buildings. People today are not inclined to magical or religious explanations, however, a large number of mysterious ancient buildings and today cause controversy about the reasons for their creation. We not only do not know who erected them, but do not even guess why! This article will tell you about the 10 most mysterious and mysterious structures from ancient times.
1
Nan Madol
The Nan Madol archipelago is washed by the Pacific Ocean in Micronesia. It consists of about 100 tiny islands, which, due to their proximity to each other, are called the "Pacific Venice". All islands are one big city with ancient buildings, unlike any other world architecture.
City walls, as well as practically buildings, are built of giant blocks, corals and basalt columns. Locals still transmit word of mouth beliefs and myths explaining the construction of the city.
Two brothers with magical powers, Olosokhpa and Olisihpa crossed the sea (most likely, the ocean is meant) in a huge canoe. Having found the islands, they wanted to erect altars to worship the gods of the harvest and the sea. For the construction they needed stones, but they could not deliver the boulders to the coast, and then the brothers turned to magic. Raise the monoliths they helped dragon magic. Thus, an amazing city was built, which became a tribute to the gods. For centuries, the city was ruled by the descendants of two magicians, until it was abandoned.
But these are all myths, and in fact, scientists still have not fully explored Nan Madol, and so did not understand the details of the construction of the city. Indeed, for its construction, locals who did not have the necessary tools needed to drag about 2 thousand tons of basalt over a 4-century period.
2
Teotihuacan
The ancient city of Teotihuacan for centuries has been the center of various Indian tribes of the pre-Columbian era. During its heyday, its population exceeded 125 thousand people, which made the city one of the largest not only in America but also in the world. Despite the size, large population and ethnic wealth, we know almost nothing about the city, including its founders.
Scientists suggest that it was founded around the 2nd century BC. e., although traces of settlements in the area dating back to the 3rd century BC were also found. e. In any case, the city was built several centuries (about 1 thousand years) before the first mention of the Aztecs. Almost the entire Teotihuacan consists of pyramids, which suggests their religious purpose. The Pyramid of the Sun is not only the tallest building in the city, but also the third largest in the world.
Everything is mysterious in this city: details of the foundation, purpose and reason for its abandonment. Historians still argue why the local population left Teotihuacan. Some suggest an uprising of the lower strata of society, others suggest a theory of attack from the outside. But none of the parties can provide any convincing evidence of their guesses. Moreover, we do not even know the name of the city, since the word "Teotihuacan" came to us from the Aztecs, who had already found city ruins.
We also recommend that you look at an interesting article on thebiggest.ru about the highest pyramids on the planet.
3
Puma Punku
The attention of all world historians to Puma Punk was riveted from the first day of the opening of this complex, located on the territory of modern Bolivia. They are geometrically accurately exposed stone blocks with holes made.
It is assumed that all buildings for religious ceremonies. Each of the blocks that make up the temple complex weighs about 130 tons. The high quality of processing stones, as well as their strange shape, allowed the adherents of the theory of aliens to claim that they were involved in the construction of Puma Punku. The reason that ancient aliens built a religious complex in South America is also a mystery.
A feature of Puma Punku is the complete absence of a bonding solution between the stone blocks. In order for the stones to not fall apart and preserve the “harmony” of the entire structure, a clear fit was required in order to create a kind of puzzle. Even today, this would be a challenge for builders with high-tech tools for cutting material. Even more surprisingly, the rock from which the complex was built is 80 kilometers from it.
Unfortunately, time and looters were merciless to Puma Punk. Probably, before his decoration was rich. The ability to visualize the initial appearance of buildings would help scientists determine the purpose of this place. A study of the stone in the laboratory showed that the buildings date back to about the 6th century AD.
4
Underground city of Derinkuyu
Imagine the process of building a city for 20 thousand people without using modern technology. Now add to this that the city must be underground. On the territory of modern Turkey there are several cities located underground, but the most spacious is located in Derinkuyu.
It is noteworthy that the city was used until the 20s of the XX century. It was expanded and operated as a protective "bunker" even during the First World War. Later they forgot about the underground city, it was reopened only in the 60s as a result of a happy accident (during the repair of a residential building, builders accidentally fell into one of the Derinkuy tunnels).
Due to the softness of the rocky rocks, cutting down the city inside the rock in this area was not difficult. At the same time, the malleability of the stone to processing does not affect its strength and protection from natural destruction. The advantages of living in an underground city during the war are obvious, but the cramped and lack of sunlight is a clear minus, which is detrimental to health.
5
Jgantia
This megalithic religious complex of temples is located in Europe on the island of Malta. The name Jgantia in the local dialect means "Tower of the Giants." The local population composed a legend according to which all the buildings were erected by the giantess Sasuna. The creature carried the huge boulders used to build the Ggantia on its head.
Given that the length of some stones reaches 5 meters, it is not so difficult to believe in the story of giants. It seems that the ancient people could not simply move such blocks, not to mention the construction of any structure.
Jgantia consists of two temples fenced with a stone wall. Scientists can not accurately determine the date of the erection of temples, so they attribute the building to 3600-2500 years BC. e. The question is, how could people build a whole complex, I have neither a wheel, nor metal objects? Near Jagantia, archaeologists managed to find small spheres made of stone, which suggest that the boulders were moving with the help of peculiar bearings located under the blocks. From the figures found on the territory of the temples, one can also make an assumption that the structures were created to worship the gods of fertility.
6
Greater Zimbabwe
Great or Greater Zimbabwe is the ruins of an ancient city, which is the largest settlement in "black" Africa (the territory south of the Sahara). The local population believes that it was in Greater Zimbabwe that the capital of Saba, Queen of Sheba, mentioned in the Bible, was located. This is unlikely to be true, since the city was built around 1130 BC. e., which is much later than the events described in the Bible.
There were several versions about the founders of Greater Zimbabwe. Previously, this issue was politically motivated, since the government of Southern Rhodesia (the name of the state until 1980), consisting of immigrants from Europe, did not want to accept the possibility of building a huge city by local ethnic groups. Now, scientists have agreed that the "founding fathers" of the city are the ancestors of the Shona, a people living in Zimbabwe.
At the peak of development, the population of Greater Zimbabwe was about 18 thousand people. From enemy raids, the population was protected by 5-meter-high walls erected without the use of mortar.
7
Baalbek
The Lebanese city of Baalbek was the social and cultural center of the region during the time of Ancient Rome, however, it was known to mankind long before the founding of Rome itself. Even during the campaigns of Alexander the Great, Baalbek was a large settlement, as well as a significant religious center. After the death of Alexander and the division of his empire into several parts, the city was renamed Heliopolis (in honor of the sun god).
At the time of the Romans, many temples were erected here, among which were constructions in honor of Venus, Mercury and, of course, Jupiter (the main deity of the Romans). Their beauty is striking even today, while the temple of Jupiter keeps a secret - three huge boulders on which the foundation is based. Each block weighs at least 800 tons, which makes them the heaviest stones used for the construction of buildings.
The ancient Romans called it Trilition, which means "three stones." Even now, historians find it difficult to answer why their use was needed. Not far from the temple there is a quarry with square stones, which leads to the idea of the unfinished construction of several more temples.
8
Tauls on Menorca
The Spanish island of Menorca is famous for its beaches and ancient T-shaped structures. Each taula is made of two huge stones, one of which lies on the "edge" of the other. It is noteworthy that in the wall surrounding the taula, there is only one entrance. All tauls, except one, "look" in a southerly direction. The average height of taula is 3.5 meters.
Historians have concluded that they were built by the local population during the heyday of the Talayot culture that preceded the conquests of the Romans. The approximate date of construction of all rock formations refers to the first millennium BC. e.
The ritual purpose of these stones is almost undeniable, but their exact value cannot be determined. According to one of the historians, tauls symbolize bull horns, which suggests the worship of an animal that played a huge role in the life of the local population.
9
Longyu Caves
The local population of Longyu County has always considered the surrounding ponds to be bottomless. It was not possible to verify this statement until the ponds demanded work to clean them. The operation involved the drainage of water bodies, which was carried out in the summer of 1992.
What was the amazement of people who learned that the ponds flooded the artificially created cave. During further research, about 30 such caves were discovered.
There is no doubt that the grottoes were carved by people. They are not connected to each other, but some caves are separated only by thin walls. And also historians did not reach consensus on the purpose of the Longyu Grottoes and the people who created them. It is assumed that the ponds that flooded them contributed to a better preservation of the internal architecture of buildings.
You will learn about other famous amazing finds of archaeologists at thebiggest.ru from this article.
10
Tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty
Most of you have heard of the terracotta army, which is about 8 thousand clay statues of warriors in full growth, guarding the peace of the first emperor of China. According to ancient writings, the emperor was buried in a specially built palace, located under a hill. Despite the fact that the hill has already been found, the leadership of China does not allow archaeologists to excavate the main part of the burial.
This seems like a crime before science, but the government has sufficient reasons to “slow down” the start of excavations. They are simply afraid that modern technology is not yet perfect enough to ensure the safety of the tomb. As an example, they cite the first discovered soldiers of the terracotta army, covered with pigment at the first contact with oxygen.
What exactly is inside the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty - whole mercury reservoirs. According to one of the historians, river canals of this metal are laid in the tomb. Scientific analysis of the soil indirectly confirmed this assertion, the earth is simply "saturated" with mercury.
In conclusion
We showed you only the top of the iceberg of the most mysterious structures of antiquity. And what mysterious structures would you include on this list? We are waiting for your comments.
Posted by: gunner1886