MYSTERIOUS Ancient Technologies
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00:00Hey everyone, these remarkable inventions and techniques are showcasing the ingenuity
00:04of ancient civilizations, revealing their understanding of the world and their ability
00:09to manipulate it in ways that seem almost modern.
00:13So join me for today's video countdown 15 of the most mysterious ancient technologies,
00:19starting with number 15, Viking Sunstones.
00:22The Vikings were skilled at navigating dangerous waters.
00:25They used several tools, and one particularly intriguing one was the Sunstone.
00:31According to Norse myths, this stone could locate the sun's position even when it was
00:35hidden by clouds or had set.
00:37Recent research has confirmed that the Sunstone was real and accurate.
00:42The sagas mention that the Vikings used the Sunstone, known as the Sorestein, to find
00:46the sun during bad weather, a concept once considered just a legend.
00:51This changed in 2010 when a unique crystal was found in an Elizabethan shipwreck near
00:56the Channel Islands.
00:58This crystal, made of calcite, had properties useful for navigation.
01:02Scientists discovered that calcite, also called Iceland's spar, could split sunlight into
01:07two rays, even in cloudy or foggy conditions.
01:10By rotating the crystal until the two rays appeared equally dark, they could pinpoint
01:14the sun's location.
01:16Additionally, in 1948, part of a Viking Sun Compass was found in a fjord in Greenland,
01:21where Norse farmers settled in the 10th century.
01:24Initially believed to be merely decorative, researchers later recognized that its engraved
01:29lines were meant for navigation.
01:32Number 14.
01:33The Saqqara Bird The Saqqara Bird, found near the Saqqara
01:37Pyramid in Egypt in 1898, has fueled much debate due to its unusual design.
01:44Found in a tomb, this wooden artifact, believed to be about 2,200 years old, looks similar
01:49to a modern airplane with a bird's head.
01:52The shape of the artifact, along with the associated hieroglyphs and texts, had led
01:56to various theories about its purpose.
01:59Some suggest that the Saqqara Bird might represent a model of an aircraft, proposing that ancient
02:04Egyptians might have had some knowledge of flight.
02:07This idea was supported by experiments, including one in 2006 by aviation expert Simon Sanderson,
02:13who tested a replica in a wind tunnel and found it could generate lift.
02:17However, many archaeologists and experts remain skeptical, viewing the artifact as a stylized
02:23bird, perhaps a toy or a ceremonial object used on sacred boats.
02:28Glider designer Martin Gregory's 2002 tests concluded that the model, especially without
02:33a tailwing stabilizer, was incapable of flight, and even with one, its performance was underwhelming.
02:40Despite the differing views, the Saqqara Bird continues to raise questions about the technological
02:45insights of the ancient Egyptians.
02:47If it was a model for an aircraft, it suggests a sophisticated understanding of aerodynamics
02:53much earlier than traditionally thought.
02:5613.
02:57The Dendera Light The Dendera Light, located in the Hathor
03:01Temple at Dendera in Egypt, has sparked a considerable amount of debate.
03:07Based on three stone reliefs, some interpret this image as depicting a technological artifact
03:12similar to a modern-day light bulb.
03:14The depicted object resembles a bulb with a lotus socket, a snake-shaped filament inside,
03:20and what seems to be a cable.
03:22In the most recognized depiction, a priest holds this lamp, with figures beneath it interacting
03:27with the device, and a baboon with knives stand in front.
03:32A Norwegian electrical engineer first proposed that the relief might illustrate an ancient
03:36electrical lamp, suggesting early Egyptian knowledge of electricity.
03:41However, most Egyptologists and archaeologists dismiss this, interpreting the imagery as
03:46symbolic of Egyptian creation stories, religious ceremonies, and deities associated with rebirth
03:52and the afterlife.
03:53If the Dendera Light were confirmed as depicting an electrical device, it would dramatically
03:58alter our understanding of ancient Egyptian technology and scientific capability.
04:0412.
04:05The Hydraulic Telegraph Technological advances have dramatically altered
04:10our lives compared to the ancient past, especially in communication over long distances.
04:16One early method was the hydraulic telegraph, invented by a Greek named Aeneas in 350 BC.
04:22The system used water-filled vessels and rods inscribed with messages to communicate across
04:28distances.
04:29Both communicating parties needed identical equipment, and had to be within sight of each
04:33other, usually on hills.
04:35When one party wanted to send a message to the other, they would raise a torch.
04:39Upon seeing the torch raised, the second party would raise their torch to confirm they were
04:43prepared to receive the message.
04:45When the initial sender lowered his torch, both sides would simultaneously pull the plug
04:49from the bottom of the water-containing vessel.
04:52As the water drained, different messages on the rod would be revealed.
04:56When the intended message reached the top, the initial sender would again light his torch,
05:00signaling that the receiver should re-plug the vessel and read the message on the rod.
05:05For this to work properly, both parties had to have vessels of the same size, filled with
05:09the same volume of water, and rods containing the same messages.
05:13They also had to be very precise, starting and stopping drainage at the correct moment.
05:1811.
05:19The Longyou Caves The Longyou Caves have intrigued many for
05:24their mysterious origins and massive structure.
05:27Once located in the Longyou County, these caves were thought to be bottomless ponds
05:31until 1992, when a local named Wu Anai, driven by curiosity, drained one and discovered it
05:37was an entrance to a hand-carved cave.
05:40With his neighbor's help, he used a water pump to remove the water, revealing not a
05:44pond but an ancient cavern.
05:46This discovery led to the drainage of more ponds in the area, unveiling 24 large, hand-carved
05:52caves, each not connected to another but sharing thin walls without any breaches.
05:58These caverns up to 100 feet deep featured walls carved with undeciphered lines and symbols,
06:03adding to the mystery of their purpose and construction.
06:06Dated to around 200 BCE, there are no records of their construction, the tools used, or
06:11the destination of the excavated rock, suggesting their creation required advanced organization
06:16and techniques beyond the capabilities of a small village.
06:20Scientists believe that constructing these extensive caves, covering an area of over
06:231,000 square meters and each up to 3,000 square meters for the largest, would have required
06:29a large workforce, possibly over 1,000 workers, a feat not noted in any known historical records
06:35from that era.
06:3710.
06:38SACSE-HUAMAN Located on the northern outskirts of Cusco
06:42in Peru, the walled complex of Sacse-Huaman is renowned for its impressive dry stone walls
06:48constructed from boulders that fit together tightly without the use of mortar.
06:52Some of the stones used in building the terraces weigh up to 200 tons, making them among the
06:56largest in any pre-Hispanic American structure.
06:59These stones are cut with such precision that a piece of paper cannot be slipped between
07:03many of them.
07:04The craftsmanship here features rounded corners, various interlocking shapes, and walls that
07:09lean inwards, which has baffled scientists for years.
07:13The exact technique used to shape and align these stones is so precise that it remains
07:17a subject of much speculation.
07:19Theories range from the use of a plant-derived liquid to soften the stones, to intense heat
07:24from sun mirrors, and even suggestions of extraterrestrial influence.
07:29However, John McCauley, a retired architect with over 40 years of research in ancient
07:33construction techniques, credits the ingenuity of these ancient builders.
07:36This discussion highlights the need for expertise in architecture and construction to fully
07:41understand how these ancient structures were built.
07:43Recently, structural engineer Peter James proposed a new theory regarding the construction
07:48of the Egyptian pyramids, reflecting ongoing interest and debate in this field.
07:53The skills needed and evident in Sacsayhuaman underscore a sophisticated understanding of
07:58construction that challenges our perceptions of pre-Columbian civilizations.
08:03Fully deciphering the methods used to build this place would provide profound insights
08:07into Inca technological capability, and it would revolutionize our understanding of ancient
08:12engineering.
08:139.
08:15Mithridate Mithridate was a popular preparation during
08:19the Middle Ages and Renaissance, containing over 60 ingredients and used widely in Italy
08:24and France as an antidote.
08:26Petrus Andreas Methiolus, a naturalist and physician to European royalty, found it more
08:31effective and easier to make than venus-trachal.
08:34The term has come to refer to any general antidote.
08:37The recipe for Mithridate's antidote was discovered in his cabinet and brought to Rome,
08:42where it was translated into Latin and enhanced by figures like Nero and Marcus Aurelius,
08:48though it likely changed significantly over time.
08:50The concoction was mixed with honey, and a small piece about the size of an almond was
08:54typically consumed with wine.
08:56For other uses, a smaller amount comparable to an Egyptian bean was sufficient.
09:00Historically, many have sought to pinpoint Mithridate's exact formula, which has been
09:05known for millennia, but its effectiveness as a true antidote or cure remains uncertain.
09:10The original recipe is now lost, and while many have tried to rediscover it, few have
09:14critically examined the bold claims made by Mithridates and historical authors.
09:19Mithridates himself claimed to consume lethal doses of poison to demonstrate the efficacy
09:24of his antidote, though there is no evidence to confirm if these substances were poisonous
09:29or harmless.
09:31It's possible that his demonstrations were mere deceptions intended to deter his enemies
09:35from poisoning him.
09:36If the remedy were as effective as claimed, it would likely have been targeted by others
09:40seeking to weaken or exploit Mithridates, known for using poison against his foes.
09:47Thus, claiming to have such a cure would have been as strategic as actually possessing it.
09:538.
09:54Baalbek Trilithon Throughout history, various ancient civilizations
09:58demonstrated remarkable capabilities in moving massive stones.
10:03From the structures of Stonehenge in Machu Picchu to the enormous stone heads of the
10:07Olmec in Central America, possibly transported along rivers and rafts, the Incas, known for
10:12their mountaintop cities, maneuvered huge stones over long distances, fitting them together
10:17with extraordinary precision.
10:19Similarly, the Easter Islanders are famed for their large stone sculptures.
10:24However, the largest cut stone was found not at these sites, but in Baalbek, Lebanon, in
10:29the ruins of what was once called Heliopolis, or the City of the Sun.
10:34Here lies the Trilithon, three gigantic stones at the base of the Jupiter Baal Temple, each
10:39weighing over 750 tons.
10:42While construction of this massive Roman temple began around 27 years before the birth of
10:46Jesus, it is widely believed that the Romans cut these stones.
10:50There is evidence suggesting that the Trilithon might predate their presence, possibly even
10:54going back to the time before Alexander the Great, who founded Heliopolis in 334 BC.
11:00The method used to transport these enormous stones from the quarry and lift them onto
11:04a foundation of smaller blocks remains unclear.
11:07Additionally, the temple houses a fourth stone, known as the Stone of the Pregnant Woman,
11:12the largest hewn stone, weighing an estimated 1,200 tons, about the weight of three Boeing
11:18747s.
11:19This stone was never moved from its quarry, highlighting the logistical challenges it
11:24faced.
11:25The discussion on how the Trilithon was moved and the plans to transport such a monumental
11:29stone continues to be a topic of great intrigue and debate.
11:34Moving on to number 7, the Gate of the Sun.
11:38The Gate of the Sun is a captivating pre-Columbian monument located in the ancient city of Tijuanaco
11:44on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
11:47This megalithic gate, nearly ten feet tall and thirteen feet wide, weighs about ten tons,
11:52and it's carved from a single block of volcanic stone.
11:56The intricate carvings on the Gate of the Sun have puzzled archaeologists and historians
12:00since its discovery.
12:01Tijuanaco was a major cultural and political hub of the Tijuanaco Empire from around 300
12:06to 1000 AD, extending into what is now Peru and Chile.
12:11The city showcased remarkable construction techniques, including large, precisely carved
12:15stones and sophisticated underground drainage systems, indicating a highly advanced civilization
12:20despite the absence of any written records.
12:23Found within the Calasasaya Complex, a ceremonial area in Tijuanaco, the Gate of the Sun was
12:28discovered on the ground with a significant crack by European explorers in the mid-19th
12:33century, and its exact original position is unknown, adding to its mysterious nature.
12:39The carvings on the gate are believed to hold astronomical significance, the central figure
12:43possibly representing the god Viracocha or a sun deity is shown with rays around his
12:48face and tears, earning him the name the Weeping God.
12:53He's depicted holding a staff in each hand, surrounded by smaller figures that look human-like,
12:58with wings, curled tails, and rectangular helmets.
13:01Scholars continue to debate the Gate of the Sun's purpose, while some suggest it might
13:05have served as a solar calendar due to the alignment of its carvings, others believe
13:09it had a ceremonial or religious rite.
13:12A more speculative theory suggests it could have been a portal to another dimension, in
13:16line with Andean legends that consider the area around Lake Titicaca as the origin of
13:21humankind created by Viracocha.
13:246.
13:26Vitrified Forts In Scotland, archaeologists may have unraveled
13:30the long-standing mystery of an Iron Age fort known as the Dunderdale, where the stones
13:35were found melted through a process called vitrification.
13:40Located in the highlands near Ben Nevis, Dunderdale dates back to around 500 BC according
13:44to carbon dating.
13:46It was initially built and used by the Celts and later occupied by the Picts as a fortress.
13:51The site, now marked by a grassy embankment, is situated on a historically strategic hilltop,
13:56and it's one of the most famous vitrified forts in Scotland, attracting many visitors
14:00each year.
14:01Similar structures exist in France and Ireland, with around 70 in Scotland and about 200 across
14:06Europe as estimated by National Geographic.
14:10Vitrification requires temperatures of around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to melt stone slabs,
14:15posing questions about the Iron Age technology capable of achieving such heat.
14:20Recent theories suggest that the vitrification occurred when a large wooden structure built
14:23over the stone walls was intentionally set on fire, reaching temperatures high enough
14:28to melt the stone.
14:30Despite these new insights, though, the mystery of how exactly these forts were vitrified
14:33remains partly unsolved.
14:36Research into this phenomenon began in the 1930s, attempting to replicate the vitrification
14:40process.
14:41However, these experiments have largely failed to provide conclusive results, leading to
14:46continued speculation and various unproven theories about the vitrification of these
14:51ancient forts.
14:535.
14:54The Great Pyramid of Giza The Great Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven
14:59Wonders of the Ancient World, continue to fascinate people.
15:03Built around 4,500 years ago, these monumental structures were constructed at a time when
15:07the ancient Egyptians had only basic copper tools and lacked complex machinery such as
15:12cranes or even the wheel.
15:14It's estimated that each pyramid took about 20 years to build, relying solely on human
15:19labor.
15:20Despite the primitive technology, the pyramids are not only massive, but were built with
15:24extraordinary precision.
15:27They are aligned to the cardinal points, north, south, east, and west, with an accuracy of
15:31one-fifteenth of a degree, a feat not even always achieved by modern buildings.
15:36Furthermore, the Pyramids of Giza are located at the geographical center of the Earth's
15:40landmass, where the prime meridian and equator intersect.
15:44Such precision in both construction and location, along with the relationships to celestial
15:49bodies like the sun, adds a layer of mystery to their construction.
15:53These aspects have led to numerous theories about the ancient Egyptians' capabilities,
15:57including speculative ideas about external assistance beyond human labor.
16:02These mysterious qualities of the pyramids not only inspire awe, but also deep curiosity
16:07and endless debate about the technological prowess of the ancient Egyptians.
16:12The mystery surrounding their construction technique is likely to remain an intriguing
16:16topic for many years to come.
16:194.
16:21TALOS OF CRETE The concept of artificial intelligence and
16:25automatons is not a modern phenomenon.
16:28It dates back to over 2,000 years to Greek mythology.
16:31The myth of Talos, often considered the first robot-like creature in mythology, is particularly
16:37notable.
16:38According to legend, Talos was an automaton created by the god Zeus, although other versions
16:43attribute his creation to Hephaestus, the god of fire and iron.
16:47Talos was described in texts around 700 BC by Hesiod and later Plato, who noted that
16:53Talos protected Crete by circling the island three times daily.
16:57Given Crete's size, this task suggests Talos was either a giant or had the ability to fly,
17:03which aligns with depictions of him having wings.
17:06Talos defended Crete against invaders by hurling rocks at approaching ships and heating his
17:11body to lethal temperatures to kill enemies on land.
17:15This myth, like from others of the era, may have been inspired by real events that ancient
17:19people didn't fully understand, using their contemporary knowledge and beliefs to interpret
17:24these phenomena.
17:26The story of Talos, along with other myths like those of Medea and Prometheus, shows
17:30the ideas that creating life-like machines existed long before actual technology made
17:36it possible.
17:37Today, as we develop sophisticated robots and AI, the tale of Talos gains a new relevance,
17:43reminding us that the fascination with automated beings has deep historical roots, possibly
17:48inspired by ancient technological observations or misunderstood phenomena.
17:543.
17:55The Heron Engine Over 2,000 years ago, there were significant
17:59mechanical innovations and feats of engineering that were far ahead of their time.
18:04Many of these innovations were forgotten and only reinvented centuries later.
18:09One such invention was the first modern steam engine by Heron of Alexandria, also known
18:14as Hero.
18:16Born in Alexandria in 10 AD, Heron was a Greek mathematician and engineer, considered one
18:20of the greatest inventors of antiquity.
18:23He lived during the time when the great library of Alexandria thrived, and is believed to
18:27have taught at the Museum of Alexandria, a gathering place for scholars.
18:32Little known is that Heron invented the steam engine, creating a steam-powered device called
18:36an heliopile, or the Heron engine.
18:39The heliopile was a sphere designed to rotate on its axis, with nozzles on opposite sides
18:44that expelled steam.
18:46This action produced torque, spinning the sphere.
18:49The steam was generated by boiling water either inside or below the sphere, which connected
18:53to the sphere via pipes that also served as pivots.
18:56Heron's device was capable of rotating at 1,500 rotations per minute at a pressure of
19:011.8 pounds per square inch.
19:03It was essentially forgotten and not realized until 1577, when Taqiq al-Din reinvented steam
19:10power to rotate a spit with steam jets.
19:13Heron's writings are mostly lost, with only fragments surviving in Arabic manuscripts.
19:18The heliopile was more a demonstration of steam propulsion principles than a practical
19:22tool, and it would be over a millennium before the true potential of steam power was realized
19:27in the industrial era.
19:292.
19:31The Nazca Lines The Nazca Lines, covering nearly 200 square
19:35miles on a high, arid plateau in Peru, rank amongst the world's most mysterious phenomena.
19:42Founded by the Nazca civilization between 200 BC and 600 AD, these geoglyphs feature
19:47a diverse array of designs, including animals, human figures, geometric patterns, and possibly
19:53astronomical symbols.
19:54The lines were created by removing a layer of dark iron oxide-coated pebbles to reveal
19:59the lighter sand beneath.
20:01The sheer scale of these lines and the fact that they're best appreciated from above have
20:05fueled much speculation about their purpose and creation methods.
20:09The most accepted construction technique involves using stakes and ropes to outline
20:13the figures before removing the surface stones.
20:16This allowed the Nazca to create precise and expansive figures, with some spanning more
20:21than 1,200 feet.
20:23While the construction techniques are fairly well understood, the purpose of the Nazca
20:26Lines remains debated.
20:28Some believe they were used for ceremonial processions, serving as pathways leading to
20:32sacred spaces.
20:34Others suggest they functioned as a means of celestial communication or astronomical
20:38calendars marking significant events.
20:41More controversial and speculative theories include suggestions that the lines were intended
20:46for or created by extraterrestrial beings, possibly landing markers or messages visible
20:52from space.
20:53There is also an intriguing yet speculative hypothesis that the Nazca might have used
20:58hot air balloons to view the lines from above, though there is no direct archaeological evidence
21:02to support that.
21:04The Nazca Lines also face some threats from natural erosion and human activities.
21:08Over the years, they've been damaged by construction, irresponsible tourism, and even activism,
21:14notably by a Greenpeace action in 2014 that caused unintentional harm.
21:19Recent discoveries in December 2022 have revealed 168 new designs highlighting the ongoing need
21:25to preserve and study these geoglyphs.
21:28These findings are critical not only for their historical and cultural value, but also for
21:32what they may reveal about the Nazca civilization and their perspectives.
21:371.
21:38THE CHIMU TELEPHONE The discovery of a 1,200-year-old device resembling
21:43a telephone in the ruins of Chanchan in Peru surprises many due to its age and sophistication.
21:50This ancient device is considered the earliest example of telephone technology in the Western
21:55Hemisphere.
21:57Similar to the lover's telephone made from tin cans and string popular in the 19th century,
22:02this ancient version consists of two gourd tops connected by a 75-foot cotton twine.
22:08The gourds, each measuring about 3.5 inches and coated in resin, functioned as transmitters
22:13and receivers of sound, with membranes of stretched hide around their bases.
22:18Despite its simple construction, the implications of such a device are significant, predating
22:23modern telephone research by over a millennium.
22:26While the fragile nature of the gourd and string device prevents physical testing, researchers
22:31can infer how it might have worked, yet its exact purpose within the Chimu culture remains
22:36speculative.
22:37It's theorized that the device was used by the elite or priestly class in a hierarchical
22:42society.
22:43This telephone could have allowed private communication between higher-ranking individuals
22:47and their subordinates, facilitating command and control without direct contact, thus maintaining
22:52social hierarchies and security.
22:55Alternatively, the device might have served to impress or control the faithful, making
22:59the disembodied voices it transmitted seem miraculous.
23:03Yet some suggest it might have merely been a child's toy, challenging the assumption
23:07that what seems sophisticated or sacred today must have held similar significance in the
23:12past.
23:13Thanks for watching everyone, I'll see you next time.