Mysteries of lost civilizations ...Page 14

by Vadim Ilyin

STONEHENGE

01/26/2004

There are numerous examples of fascinating knowledge of ancient scientists in various fields that continue to mesmerize present day researchers.

Photo:Machu Picchu: Click and drag photo to resize. Script from The Java Script Source

History reveals many instances when some discoveries surpassed their times. Such, for instance, was the case with a scientist named Schwerter (1636) who provided a detailed account of the main principle of telegraphy in his book "Mathematical and Technical Fun".

He wrote "such is the method which enables communication between two distant parties by means of a magnetized needle." The first telegraph was created only 200 years later.

There are numerous examples of fascinating knowledge of ancient scientists in various fields that continue to mesmerize present day researchers. One of the most bewildering puzzles that scientists face nowadays deals with construction of Egyptian pyramids.

Each block of the famous Egyptian pyramid of Cheops weighs 15-100 tons. The ceiling of the king's bedroom is made of a monolithic layer of red granite, which weighs 70 tons. Each one of those granite blocks is matched with extreme accuracy.

The Egyptian level of precision of dealing with such heavyweight stones exceeded that of modern day construction workers who work with blocs 300 times lighter by 10 times.

French historians claim that transportation of a tombstone from a sanctuary in Luxor to Paris took about two months. The transportation began in 1835. Numerous amount of people participated in the process and a chief engineer had tons of issues to deal with. This stone however was much lighter than those massive blocks which make up the pyramid.

Photo below: Another view of Machu Picchu: The City is an an altitude of 8000 feet. Most of the structures are built of granite blocks cut with bronze or stone tools, and smoothed with sand.

The blocks fit together perfectly without mortar, although none of the blocks are the same size and have many faces; some have as many as 30 corners. The joints are so tight that even the thinnest of knife blades can't be forced between the stones.

Another unique thing about Machu Picchu is the integration of the architecture into the landscape. Existing stone formations were used in the construction of structures, sculptures are carved into the rock, water flows through cisterns and stone channels, and temples hang on steep precipices.

No one knows how the stones were fitted with such precision or how they were carried up the narrow passages to such a high altitude. Source: www.mnsu.com Click and drag photo to resize.

Just as this tombstone appears tiny in comparison with monoliths comprising the pyramids, so do these monoliths appear diminutive when compared to the stone blocks utilized in Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman in Peru. Each one of those stone giants is six meters (20 feet) long and three meters (10 feet) wide. Each one of them is ideally placed next to each other.

The level of precision is so stunning that according to American scientist Siegfried Hunter one can hardly believe it was created by humans 500 years ago.

These Peruvian stone blocks do not appear huge if compared to the gigantic slabs used in the construction of a temple in Baalbek, on the territory of modern Lebanon. Some of the monoliths in its foundation weigh up to 750 tons. According to various historical and archaeological accounts, people who constructed those buildings were completely unaware of concrete and wheelbarrows. Therefore, it remains a mystery as to how those people managed to transport those massive stone blocs from quarries and then to neatly place them next to each other. Noone can provide a logical explanation of such phenomenon..... ......There also exist other gigantic constructions in various parts of the world. First of all, is Stonehenge in England. It is nearly 4000 year old. According to the recent analysis, this megalithic monument, comprised of several hundreds of stone blocks of various sizes represents a unique astrological observatory.

The stone blocks weigh almost 30 tons. Some of them had to be transported from a distance of 400 kilometers. Afterwards, each bloc had to be neatly trimmed and erected in a precise location.

Scientists are perfectly aware of the people who used to inhabit the area in the past. They are also aware of the fact that neither one of those peoples was capable enough to construct something of this complexity.

Besides, the level of their overall development was not advanced. People did not need an observatory. So who did build it. What for? Using what kind of technology?

Photo: Easter Island Statues: Click and drag to resize.

Here is another mystery that continues to puzzle people. In 1772 Dutch seafarer Jacob Roggewen discovered a small island at the Eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, which he had later named Easter island.

In the distant past, the overall population of the island could not have exceeded 2-3,000 people. Easter Island consists mainly of badlands and based on several examinations, it appears as though not a single tree has ever grown in the region.

Therefore, it remains unclear how islanders could transport the massive stone blocks for their famous monuments known as "moai". They surely could not have used any wooden rollers or bearings for "moai" transportation. So how were they transported?.....

.....There is also a significant amount of publications dedicated to Nazca paintings located in the south-western part of Peru and visible only from above. Famous scientist Masson is certain that one must have been given precise directions from above in order to do those paintings.....

....Here is another puzzle. In the late 50s of past century, Soviet, American and Indian scientists arrived at the conclusion that about 10,000 years ago ancestors of today"s Eskimos had inhabited the territory of modern-day mid Asia, Mongolia and Ceylon.

They did not migrate to Greenland until much later. It also appears that their migration was rather sudden. Why? What caused those people to abandon their settlements and pursue the "end of the world?"

Not a single scientist is capable of providing a logical explanation to such mystery so far. Eskimo folklore is rich with legends. Some of those legends talk about iron birds which transported their ancestors to the North.

These puzzles represent just a small part of existing mysteries. Scientists continue unveiling the greatest mysteries.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Next>>>