10 Most Amazing Ancient Finds That Change History
Rosetta Stone
Discovered in Egypt in 1799, this stone tablet with inscriptions in three different languages (Egyptian hieroglyphics, Demotic script, and Ancient Greek) helped scholars decipher the ancient Egyptian writing system.
Dead Sea Scrolls
A collection of Jewish texts dating back to the Second Temple period (circa 530 BCE to 70 CE), these scrolls were discovered in the mid-20th century in the vicinity of the Dead Sea. They include the earliest known surviving copies of the Hebrew Bible.
Terracotta Army
Discovered in 1974 in China, this collection of life-sized terracotta figures represents the army of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The figures were buried with the emperor to protect him in the afterlife.
Machu Picchu
Built by the Incas in the 15th century, this citadel was hidden in the Andes Mountains until its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911. It is considered a masterpiece of Inca engineering and a symbol of the Inca Empire.
Pompeii
This ancient Roman city was buried in volcanic ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Excavations of the site, which began in the 18th century, have revealed well-preserved buildings, artwork, and even human remains.
Stonehenge
A prehistoric monument in England dating back to 2500 BCE, Stonehenge consists of a circle of standing stones, some of which weigh as much as 25 tons. Its purpose and construction remain a mystery.
The Great Wall of China
Stretching over 13,000 miles, the Great Wall of China was built over centuries to protect the Chinese Empire from invaders. The earliest portions date back to the 7th century BCE.
The Sphinx
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, the Sphinx is a symbol of ancient Egypt. The largest and most famous Sphinx is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates back to the Old Kingdom period (circa 2686-2181 BCE).
The Lascaux Cave Paintings
Discovered in 1940 in France, these Paleolithic paintings depict animals, humans, and abstract symbols. They are estimated to be around 17,000 years old and offer a glimpse into the creative minds of our ancient ancestors.
Göbekli Tepe
A site in southeastern Turkey dating back to 10,000 BCE, Göbekli Tepe is believed to be the oldest known temple in the world. Its monumental stone pillars, some of which weigh up to 16 tons, suggest that humans were capable of sophisticated construction much earlier than previously thought.