Mysterious Ruins From Around the World

The first 100 people to go to blinkist.com/toptenz are going to get unlimited access for one week to try it out. You’ll also get 25% off if you want the full membership.
→Subscribe for new videos every day! kzbin.info...
This video is #sponsored by Blinkist.
Find more lists at: www.toptenz.net
Our other KZbin Channels:
Biographics: / @biographics
Geographics: / @geographicstravel
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Other TopTenz Videos:
10 Incredible Military Inventions
• 10 Incredible Military...
10 Simple Technologies That Changed the World
• 10 Simple Technologies...
Text version: www.toptenz.net/mysterious-ru...
Coming up:
10. Kemune
9. The Longyou Caves
8. The Taulas of Menorca
7. The Khatt Shebib
6. The Underwater Cairn of Galilee
5. The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni
4. Huaca Limón de Úcupe
3. The Danish Labyrinth
2. The Hardknott Fort
1. Göbekli Tepe
Source/Further reading:
uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%...
www.flickr.com/photos/isawnyu...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A4%...
• Ancient city discovere...
www.sciencealert.com/archaeol...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lo...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
br.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restr...
travelandleisureindia.in/long...
www.atlasobscura.com/places/l...
• Las Taulas de Menorca ...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.flickr.com/photos/apaame/...
www.flickr.com/photos/apaame/...
www.flickr.com/photos/apaame/...
www.haaretz.com/archaeology/M...
www.ancient-origins.net/khatt...
www.dailysportx.com/news/arch...
select.jo/another-archaeologi...
edition.cnn.com/2013/04/19/wo...
www.livescience.com/28567-anc...
www.israel21c.org/the-mystery...
www.israel21c.org/the-mystery...
www.ancient-code.com/the-mega...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...

[@randalthor741]

From my understanding, Khatt Shebib is in an area that is prone to sandstorms, and it has periodic "towers" that could serve as shelters during sandstorms. Perhaps the low wall follows a frequently used trade route, and its purpose is to serve as a guide so that travelers surprised by a sandstorm can cover their faces for protection, and still find their way to the nearest tower shelter by simply walking along with one hand on the wall until they get there. The fact that the wall is low would also mean that they could climb across it to ensure that they're on the leeward side so that they wouldn't be totally exposed to the dangerous wind and sand. One of the greatest dangers during a sandstorm is getting hopelessly lost while trying to find some kind of shelter than will keep you alive, and it seems to me like a low wall along a trade route, with periodic shelters, would be an ideal way to prevent that. It would also explain why there are some places where the wall branches off - these might have once led to settlements or other trade routes.

[@rhijulbec1]

Thought provoking! Thank you. 🤔 Jenn 🇨🇦

[@Kaotiqua]

I've been thinking that it might not be exactly a wall at all, but rather a kind of road or path. (It's been suggested that Hadrian's wall served a similar purpose.)

[@claudiaxander]

Brilliant! Practical, logical, id lay money on it! well done

[@thaliazelmer2327]

Would terrain & weather at the time Khatt Shebib was built have been prone to sandstorms?

[@geoffreygriffin3015]

I like to think it was more petty....like 2 brothers sharing a room and drawing a line of chalk across it to separate sides

[@powwowken2760]

I don't think Gobekli Tepe gets enough love, it literally re-writes the widely accepted view of human history These were clearly people with skill, experience and motivation It also happens to date to a period of time right at the end of the last ice age when the world went through catastrophic rises in sea level as the ice melted, we all know that 90% of the worlds population live near or on coastlines even today, so any evidence of cultures pre-dating Gobekli Tepe could easily be hundreds of feet below the ocean.

[@A_name_is_a_name]

Go look up the pyramid found underwater between two islands in the Azores island chain. That’s where Atlantis was. Beautiful place before the catastrophes.

[@EMurph42]

100% agree!!

[@bluebird3281]

Lots of flood legends around the world too.

[@kbcarroll]

I see someone has been listening to Graham Hancock. Fascinating theory.

[@bluebird3281]

@@kbcarroll Randall Carlson, Dr. Robert Schoch, dr. Anthony west as well. Though I think some make some more sensational hypothesis because they have to sell books. I certainly believe they are on the right track.

[@Gordie79hamilton]

I've been to the Hypogeum on Malta. The acoustics in the oracle chamber are remarkable. Our guide only needed to whisper to be heard throughout the cave system. Mind was blown! 🤘

[@nathanstautzenberger8381]

kinda makes me wonder what an opera singer would sound like there

[@updownstate]

Thanks for this! Appreciate first-hand info.

[@ThePoohat]

@@nathanstautzenberger8381 probably terrible. you want less reflection for music, not more. would sound like the halo theme tune

[@DipityS]

Wow! What an amazing experience. I would love to be able to listen to crystal bowls or a low Tibetan chant in the chamber- I think it would be a wonder.

[@predictablesponge]

ThePoohat imagine the halo theme tune in there though

[@anonymousrex5207]

For me the Longyou caves are the most interesting one on the list. These were a ridiculously complex undertaking for the time period they are believed to have been dug, yet there is no evidence of the civilization that built them, what happened to all the rock and stone that was removed or why they were necessary. Furthermore, there is no information on how this could have even been done with such precision with the technology available at the time. The scope of the project would have been equivalent to finding the great pyramid and no evidence of the Egyptian culture anywhere in the area.

[@ro4eva]

Yeah, you're right. The complexity of those caves, given when they were carved out, and the mysteries surrounding their existence, left me slack-jawed for what seemed like a record amount of time. That discovery + the ~12,000 year-old site in Turkey are, for me anyways, the ones that stand out. Hopefully it's just the tip of the iceberg, and there are things on this planet that are yet to be discovered, that will dramatically change our view of our species' history.

[@MikeLhawdsYouTubeAccountHandle]

In 10,000 years when they start digging up amusement parks they're going to be so f**kin confused

[@lordbalthosadinferni4384]

By that point, probably terrified too.

[@moocyfarus8549]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Almost nothing from now would last, unless buried or otherwise encased.

[@JennRighter]

No, they’ll say it’s a religious temple. That’s what they say about everything.

[@nicholashodges201]

Yeah a bunch of empty giant concrete slabs would be VERY confusing

[@enderoftime2530]

Sadly, all we have are monuments to our own entertainment.

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

Quite often a ritualistic explanation in archaeology is the same as "I don't know, therefore aliens".

[@ssfbob456]

A deep male voice in that chamber may be able to be felt in your bones? We need to get James Earl Jones in there.

[@phoneboxchicken4108]

Or one of those Russian bass choirs, Milan Fras of Laibach.

[@matthewmiller471]

Or a nice fart

[@nichhodge8503]

Yes James Earl Jones telling us that he didn’t kill our father and that if we look inside ourselves we’ll see that he is really our father followed by a long & load Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!! You’re lying! Would true be moving and something to hear with the “Noooooooooooooooo” reverberating for days

[@IsntTheInternetGreat]

@Bakamalian 'EDMUUUUND!!'

[@Liquessen]

Or Corpse Husband? :)

[@brianjohnson5272]

You've missed a civilization, "before the oceans drank Atlantis and rise of the son's of Aries. Conan, destined to wear the Jeweled crown of Auqalonia upon a troubled brow."

[@odd-eyes9463]

Conan the Barbarian, BUT, also: Aquilonia is a town and comune in the Province of Avellino, part of the Campania region of southern Italy. In 1861, after the unification of Italy, the town was renamed Aquilonia, based on a 16th-century assumption that this was the site of the Battle of Aquilonia between the Romans and the Samnites. It does have an Archeological Park.

[@brianjohnson5272]

@@odd-eyes9463 I seem to recall it being the setting for lady hawk as well we'll back in the 13th century anyway.

[@dafttool]

Gobekli Tepe is indeed one of the most important archeological sites in the world. There are a couple dozen stone circles, where only a handful have been excavated yet. They are perfectly preserved because in ancient times, they would fill in their older circles. There are lots of wildlife images. There are some images that might indicate a comet. It was built at least 12,000 years ago, when man was considered still hunters & gatherers, before the advent of agriculture. There are some symbols that are reminiscent of both Easter Island (hands framing belly) & Aboriginal Australians (n/u symbol)

[@dafttool]

thisguy Yes. That’s why I said at least 10,000. I will just put 12,000, because it is more accurate. Thanks 🙏

[@CommodoreFloopjack78]

I'd love to have the opportunity to visit these places.

[@Chowd-js1mg]

What if Jason was at one

[@stacypare7955]

@@Chowd-js1mg Nope.. I'm currently in Canada 😉

[@capnstewy55]

Fact Boi gets through the intro in only 48 seconds, clearly inferior to a 10 minute blaze intro.

[@glenhayman8722]

Thank you for keeping up content even in this chaotic time. This cornerstone of knowledge on youtube is appreciated. Take care of yourself in these days. Thank you for keeping us entertained and allowing us to learn as well

[@jonslg240]

He has to or Blinkist will send the assassins 😁

[@pushinkeys]

What’s interesting about Gobeklie Tepe is the depictions on the stones that are common place in almost every ancient culture around the world. On top of that it seems to indicate the event that started the younger dryas event over 12,000 years ago.

[@punkwrestle]

That’s not possible the Earth is only 10,000 years old...

[@jewsco]

Punkwrestle says who? Because that isn’t true

[@ComaDave]

Unknown Bedouin (wiping sweat from his brow upon placing the final stone on the Khatt Shebib): "Let's see that mangy mutt try and do his business on my lawn now!"

[@bradr888]

I've been a subscriber for a few years now; and I have to say that your videos are very informative and the subject matter is captivating. My favorite channel on youtube!!

[@Ninja_Geek]

Its when watching or reading stuff like this that I realize that until we create a time machine and universal translator, we will never fully understand our past.

[@djpanebouef9939]

Everything we know will someday be the past. How will our ruins speak for us?

[@isatche]

This was one of the more interesting videos. Thank you

[@Tora0dead]

Please, tell us more about the Taulas in Menorca - they sound fascinating!

[@funkylee2010]

Outstanding set and I really appreciate you sharing this with everybody 🤙🏼

[@benscerri6472]

Thank you for covering the Ipoġew

[@Ninja_Geek]

4:25 At first I thought he said "beer moths" though, based on context, I'm assuming he meant "behemoths"

[@glenchapman3899]

Thank you for the very well thought out list. So many such lists on KZbin are rubbish, that have had rational explanations for years. But not these, every entry was amazing!!!

[@Blake_.Dryden]

When Simon says behemoth, which happens more often than u might think, I always hear beer moth. I've asked myself what a beer moth is more times than I'd care to admit.

[@Amfortas]

Lmao

[@otakuman706]

Yeah, I've been caught up by it in a couple videos before, though I'm used to it now. Funnily though, the captions on this video say beer moth. At least some in the past got it as behemoth correctly, though I imagine a couple may have variations.

[@Antechynus]

Beer moth : a mate who is fatally attracted to lite beers.

[@maggpiprime954]

He's forgetting the first rule of public speaking: Slow. Down. I'm hard of hearing and the closed captions are so ridiculous they're worse than useless.

[@punkwrestle]

Now someone from SciFi will hear this and make the next movie Attack of the Beer Moth...

[@estrois]

Absolutely interesting, thanks.

[@flee4342]

Ever notice that no one ever did anything non religious in ancient times? Everything had to have religious significance. I’ll bet if you went back in time it would be, “so this is where you hold your religious services.” “No, this is where I hang out with the boys. Sometimes invite some ladies and dance and play music.” “Then that building over there is where you talk to your gods.” “No, that’s where the kids play. Keeps them busy climbing the rocks and stuff.” “But this is where you make the animal sacrifices!” “Dude, that’s the barbecue pit.”

[@KaitouKaiju]

Future historians: this device is how the millennials talked to their gods No dude, I use that to waste my life on KZbin and free games

[@mariaruelasrodriguez6739]

Simon: I love your videos. History and geography never were so interesting and fun! And with your content I learn a lot, and don't stop getting amazed!! Thank's😌🙃🙃

[@nlwilson4892]

There is no mystery about the alignment of Hardknott Fort. The main gate faces to the far end of the valley to look for any approaching threat coming from the sea. It would probably also have been able to see a signal sent up from Muncaster which is the possible site of a fort and Ravensglass where there are Roman ruins. You can go on Google Street View and put the little person on the west wall and look down yourself. Obviously the guard posts on the gate would be higher up than the current walls.

[@roxiepoe9586]

Thank you for using actual photos of the things you are talking about. :)

[@TruenightXL]

YES! Great video :)

[@raymondj8768]

This dude has the best channels !!!!!! MIND BLOWN !

[@washkabe9179]

This was very intriguing

[@vickonstark7365]

Love this!

[@dohboi75]

On Coronavirus lockdown. Binge watching all of Simons channels 👍😀

[@updownstate]

Watching this has cheered me up.

[@StephanieElizabethMann]

Very interesting. Especially the ruins of Gobeklie Tepe. It would be an awe inspiring experience to work on this site.

[@MatthewMachuDidge]

Watch Graham Hancock's and Randal Carlson's podcast with Joe Rogan!!!!

[@NathanCassidy721]

Here’s the crazy thing about those ruins: We’ve barely excavated any of it. There is around 50 times more buried underground.

[@TheLittledikkins]

@@NathanCassidy721 As I understand it they are still working on the top layers.

[@seguebythesea]

Stephanie Elizabeth Mann It’s aliens 🤣

[@abelis644]

@@seguebythesea Look up Ockham's Razor...

[@CoachTC23]

Been waiting for a Geographics on Gobekli Tepe, great to see it make an appearance here.

[@dafttool]

The Longyou Caves, China have evidence of what appears to be advanced machinery cuts to it. Those “scooping” cuts are achieved in modern times with an enormous metal grinder. (There are other ancient sites that also have these scooping marks, including stone quarries in Egypt & Lebanon). There is zero evidence that the caves were ever used. There is no archeological evidence of man occupying the structures. There was no ornamentation. It has all of the utilitarian appearances of being what we would call a fallout shelter. Estimates are that 20,000 people could easily have sought refuge there, though, as I said, there’s no evidence that they were ever used.

[@dafttool]

Danny Boyo Your ignorance is your bliss. And they were NOT magical tools; it is lost technology. Man didn’t just come out of the Stone Age. We fell back into the Stone Age back during the Younger Dryas Event, when the 2 mile high ice sheet over the Northern Hemisphere melted, & the oceans rose over 400 feet. It’s how megalithic sites like the one under the Sea of Galilee were created. There are other underwater cities as well, like off India & Japan. The Mediterranean & Black Seas are littered with underwater structures. There are underwater structures between England & Europe in Doggerland as well. There were a series of flooding events, but the Younger Dryas one was the biggest one.

[@JayVee53]

@@dafttool don't waste your time, some people genuinely believe these things were made with copper tools lol.

[@malavoy1]

One question, where did the water come from? Rainfall could fill the caves if there's no drainage, but it would take time. However, we know of many occasions when miners punch through a wall into an underground stream. That would fill all of the ponds rather quickly, keeping whoever made them from ever getting to use them.

[@skynyrdjesus]

Maybe I'm just jaded, but that would lead me to believe it's a Chinese hoax, rather than evidence of an incredibly advanced society from which no material evidence exists.

[@RBEO22]

That's so incredibly Blinkist!

[@kb-yi6oe]

All of your channels are excellent!

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Thanks Simon. Very interesting.

[@spencerthompson1049]

Simon love the winter beard! Keep it goin!

[@881terror]

Stonehange is in Slovakia too. And another interesting things are big stone balls and wall of giants

[@StanKelley]

No list like this is complete without the Nacirema.

[@sway242009]

If you have updates on any of these ancient sites please update us! So interesting and fascinating!

[@twocvbloke]

I can't help but think "blinkist" is someone who has an irrational disliking of people who blink........ :P

[@OGSontar]

Things like the ones here make me wonder what archeologists thousands of years from now would make of the ruins of our current civilization(s).

[@jacksavage4098]

The with the 'Stonehenge' reference looks like the Gobekli Tempe' designs

[@gnarlyandwhatnot]

simon better grow a duck dynasty beard

[@kristaporkhach]

I noticed the Church of Gagikashen at Ani in the intro and wishes you covered some ancient Armenian sites! Maybe another episode?

[@andybracken1627]

Do you never age Simon? Cracking video once again though!

[@TheLittledikkins]

I would love to be able to go back and watch the first of Gobekli Tepe being built...as long as no one could see me!

[@Victoria-dh9vb]

I can just feel in my bones how many things Simon had to look up the pronunciation

[@sharablecortex2725]

This is my escape from this recent crazy world. Thank you!

[@aflockofbeagles8219]

The future is bleak, but the ancient past makes me feel much better about the present and future.

[@The_Mimewar]

Hooooooweee that transition into sponsor time was magical

[@dawnchristensen7492]

Hah! Best comment Ive heard all dang day! 💪😂👍👏👏

[@MichaelAndersxq28guy]

I wish you'd had space for the Varna culture.

[@baalzeebub4230]

The palisade labyrinth could be an early herders corral, when a portion of it was falling apart they just put up more posts outside so it’d keep the animals in while they repaired it

[@JoshSweetvale]

12:52 For fun. Neolithic people were mentally the same as us. 13:50 Maybe the designer was just a nerd. Maybe he knew about Stonehenge and decided "when in Brittania..."

[@lizc6393]

This material is riveting, totally riveting.

[@phillippetty240]

4th comment! Not that it matters ...love ya Simon.... my favorite lists and channels are yours! Any follow up on that liquor tasting with the list 25 guys? (Business blaze idea?)

[@sillymonger]

Your beard is even more amazing than your narrating voice. Thanks for the great vids mate

[@ToddRickey]

Thanks for this great overview of 'primitive' sites. Of course the inclusion of Gobeckli Tepe speaks volumes with respect to the extent to which we are learning! Now archaeology reveals very, very ancient sites, some dating into the Last Glacial Maximum. At that time, approximately +20,000 years ago, worldwide sea levels were 400 to 450 feet lower than at present. Thus, cities from that era are found along coastlines that are now submerged. Strangely, few in the archaeological establishment and scholars appear to notice. Things have changed around them though, no longer does the old guard of this science have to die before new work is recognized .

[@acepilot1]

I maybe kinda stole a relic from Mallorca and may have given it to my history teacher

[@ChristmasLore]

When I was a teenager and visited Europe most famous sites in France, Italy and Greece...I might or might not have taken some stone "souvenirs" and some other knickknacks...(same later in Egypt and Palestine). By now, wish I knew better.

[@JudeNance]

I am fascinated by these places.

[@Willy_Tepes]

I found a very cool cavalry fort in Outer Mongolia on Google earth. I also found a couple of hundred neolithic structures around a dried up lake on the border of Niger and Algeria.

[@sussekind9717]

Göbekli Tepe for me is fascinating. The erecting of these 12,000+ year old structures, occured right at the time that humans went from hunting and gathering, to more of an agricultural and eventually, city societies growing out of villages. The last ice age was ending, so plants and animals were either moving from one region to the other, or disappearing completely. It was the 1st great shift towards modern society as we know it today. So yes, it's a complete game changer.

[@jacquelinemsoucek1542]

Please do a video about the Nabta Playa stone circle :-)

[@jakecooper5855]

Gobekli Tepe has to be a site that was added to over 1000s of years. Maybe the base layer of stones stacked up is from 10,000 BC, but all the pillars and carvings are much later and done by a completely different group of people.

[@gavinbrown8153]

You should do a video about the archives of terror

[@CmdrTomalak]

8:32 Click to get past the ad. Sorry Simon... the emedded ads are the worst.

[@shaggybaggums]

It really does my head in when you let that run and at the end he says let's get back to the video and then a Masterclass ad starts.

[@slayingroosters4355]

Shaggy Baggums if you’re on an iPad or a phone just keep double tapping the right of the screen to skip it forward 10 seconds at a time, as soon as the ad marker is gone you can go back a few seconds to number 5 and don’t have o hear about the sponsor or the ad 🤣👌🏿 works every time without a time stamp 👌🏿 sorry simon

[@kateapple1]

It’s funny the second one with the tall stone monolith towers looks very similar to gobleki tepe-maybe it was used to drink beer and eat animals as well

[@SeRgEaNt_RaNdOm]

Someone should do the Halo chant in the Oracle room

[@mrains100]

Thank you.

[@flashgordon3715]

The stones in the sea of galilee are from prehistoric mobsters. The stones weighted the bodies.

[@punkwrestle]

Maybe they had a deal with the ancient aliens!

[@aivspn1]

Back to back SW tx for all the channels

[@pauliecook432]

Alright mate excellent videos.. I lived in malta for 2 years and spent a lot of time under valletta documenting and recording it.. I've put the videos on my KZbin channel.. the reason I'm commenting is because you mentioned the tunnels under valletta are 6000 years old.. I know theyre very old as I've spent time in them. Where did you get that info from? Would be great to hear back from you 🍀😎 thanks mate

[@theantichrist5191]

I really like videos like this

[@wiggie2gone]

Don't Forget the leader in the building of the Moshe wak'a's, Fozzy bear

[@bluestrife28]

12:16 “Turn Back Sarah, Turn back before it’s too late.”

[@seanregehr4921]

The significance of the Roman fort being aligned to the sun is likely to be simple and used to keep track of time in general.

[@nlwilson4892]

Nothing to do with sun, everything to do with the view down the valley for defensive purposes.

[@paulceglinski3087]

I reckon Puma Punku just missed the Ten, damn, maybe next set, Simon. Cheers.

[@nicholasmartinelli]

Hey I'm from Malta and Hal Saflieni is one of one of the creepiest one can visit!

[@jenniferlawrence8533]

So interesting.

[@eliyahfeld]

pretty busy dude you officially are :)

[@AJDraws]

Simon is half posh history professor, half contraband goods peddler. Imagine he had to lecture at a university and even though he would give fascinating lessons, every now and then he would stop to try and sell you on his external business ventures...

[@averagewoman6962]

I don't know about the rest of it, but that picture of one of the pillars in the Minorcan Taulas looks just like the sort of stone posts to be seen in Gobekli Tepe .

[@MrJgracias]

Like your videos

[@jonslg240]

One day they'll dig up our cemetaries and decide the crypts must belong to kings 😂

[@JennRighter]

And that they're places of religious worship and human sacrifice, of course.

[@amberhines01]

Looking at the white house " the pure white color means it was reserved for only the most holy enlightened men where they contemplated only on how to make the world better" " the high priest who resided there was clearly chosen for his commitment to mankind".

[@ChristmasLore]

That's a lot of kings per village....

[@fpvpig9794]

i live 40 mins away from hardknott. amazing place

[@NATESUCKSATGAMING]

The wall could also be a road or sorts.

[@moisesmontecillo7570]

simon looking fresh as always👍

[@joshuahadams]

Can we get Brian Blessed in the Maltese Oracle Room?

[@Thefox340]

There appears to be a “Sphinx-like” structure in the photos of the Peruvian ruins.

[@JennRighter]

Scientists: It’s a temple. It was used for religious purposes. Everyone: What is the evidence to suggest that? Scientists: Mutual gathering place and there’s artwork. Everyone: How is that illustrative of it being a temple or religious, though? Have you considered any other equally viable option? Scientists: You’re a conspiracy theorist.

[@charleswalker1185]

This reminds me of book I have..it condenses the salient points of classics of literature...War and Peace is six pages long..

[@rinima858]

I see Simon I press like

[@harryede7518]

Realy like top tenz

[@marjolainemenard4570]

Denmark labyrinth seems to be where the goblin king lives!!!

[@kb5171]

Rumored to still contain his epically oversized codpiece 🤫

[@flessuh]

Goblin king? Isn't that the white house in the US? (:

[@DRYOutdoors]

Gargoyle king*^

[@kahitanolang4821]

Goblin king is dead

[@FallingSloths]

Great list, but i think it is missing one major ruin complex: the Adena/Hopewell mound complexes in southern Ohio. While the Adena started building simple burial mounds on the ridgelines over their homes, the practice developed into mound complexes on the scale of Stonehenge. The most famous one is The Great Serpent Mount, a massive earthen snake whose coils align with different solar and lunar events. But even more impressive is probably the geometric earthworks in the area. The people who did the construction were hunter-gatherers without even a chief, yet the scale of the geometric earthworks is staggering: the circle and square at Hopeton, for example, would have enclosed areas over 20 acres a piece, with walls 14 feet high and 20 feet thick. Furthermore, while you can see the individual basket marks where people added the soil by hand, we have not identified the source of the soil for seemingly ANY of these sites, as they do not match the chemistry of the sites themselves and we cannot find borrow pits where the dirt would have been extracted. But craziest of all is the geometry itself, because it goes far beyond cosmic calendars. Several sites, like Newark in particular, feature circles and squares of equal perimeter and, more remarkably, EQUAL AREA. Somehow these hunter-gatherers figured out how to at least roughly Square the Circle, something the Western world was unable to do basically until Leibniz and Newton invented calculus around the turn of the 18th century. And this knowledge and effort didn't go unnoticed. Schools in the US used to teach about the Hopewell Exchange, a hypothesis that the Hopewell was a trading hub given the amount of material from far away that was discovered in the mounds. But we have since figured out that the exchange wasn't equal. People were leaving with Ohio flint chips too small to make into usable tools, but were leaving items of insane value. Hopewell shamans were uncovered buried with gizzly bear pelts from Canada, shell jewelry from the Gulf of Mexico, and obsidian from the Rockies. One shaman in particular was buried with replica Rocky Mountain mountain goat horns crafted out of Michigan copper. It seems that native people probably traveled from all over North America to worship at the temple complexes (which were likely at least somewhat funerary in nature). How a hunter-gatherer people living in small, isolated family groups between 300BCE and 500CE were able to figure out all of that geometry and astronomy, and organize such MASSIVE labor projects that we still can't figure out (like, Serpent Mound even has a single monolith quarried but abandoned. Why?) truly makes it deserving of a list like this.

[@dustanglx50]

Business Blaze RULES.