Ancient Mysteries

Some of the world’s most fascinating discoveries remain shrouded in mystery, from lost ancient cities to larger-than-life historical figures. Researchers continue to study these intriguing pieces of history, and people come from all over the world to witness them in person.

Easter Island is one such enigma. More than 50,000 people visit the island each year to see its 887 mysterious statues, or moai, created by the early Rapanui people. A number of questions concerning the island remain. For instance, who were the statues modeled after and what purpose did they serve?

Theories differ over the origin and purpose of Stonehenge as well. Some believe it was a burial ground, while others think it was used for human sacrifice. Debates also continue over when the Neolithic monuments were constructed and how this was done using only primitive tools.

The “black mummy” also continues to perplex the world’s archaeologists. Discovered in Libya by an Italian archaeologist in 1958, the mummy was thousands of years older than Egyptian mummies, leading scientists to wonder if Egyptian society may have been older than previously thought. However, it remains the only mummy from this culture ever found, adding to its air of mystery.

The end of the Mayan Civilization remains an unanswered question as well. Was it a result of foreign invasion or something more ecological, such as an environmental disaster or epidemic disease? Many believe the population simply outgrew the agricultural potential, while others argue that a drought led to its collapse. Who or what do you think killed the Maya?

Delve deeper into these ancient mysteries with the following DVD Books, which feature a video with expert commentary, as well as text, photos, maps, and timelines to fully explore each mysterious subject in this series.