לצפייה בתמונה
לחץ כאן
10 Unsolved Mysteries That Defy Explanation
From the grandeur of Stonehenge's stones to a ship whose passengers vanished into thin air, uncover ten mysteries wrapped in enigma.
- הידברות
- פורסם כ"ד סיון התשע"ו
#VALUE!
Nasca Lines
In the isolated, arid region of southern Peru, the Nasca civilization thrived until about 1,400 years ago. The Nasca people created incredible artworks by removing the red stones covering the ground, exposing the white earth beneath. These artworks, known as the 'Nasca Lines,' include a variety of patterns and shapes, including animals like llamas, fish, birds, and monkeys. Some designs stretch over 200 meters wide. How could a primitive culture create such large-scale, accurate art without aerial views, which is the only way to see the full designs? Researchers are stumped.
![]()
Stonehenge
Stonehenge, a prehistoric site in England, is an earth mound surrounded by massive standing stones. No one knows why these gigantic stones were arranged this way or how it was done. The first stones at Stonehenge, known as bluestones, could have only come from their sole source in Britain—Wales, over 400 kilometers away. How were these stones transported using the primitive technology of the time? The larger stones might have been quarried closer, but it's unclear how they reached Stonehenge before the invention of the wheel. Additionally, archaeological finds show the stones were shaped with other stones, not iron, likely unavailable to the builders. These limitations make us believe a vast army of determined people built Stonehenge over many generations—or perhaps aliens brought the stones from space? Theories about Stonehenge's mystery are as old as the stones themselves, but there's no agreed-upon explanation to offer tourists a conclusive answer on how and why the site was built.
![]()
The Mary Celeste
On December 5, 1872, the British merchant ship Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean with all her cargo intact—except the crew and passengers. A thorough inspection revealed no signs of struggle or conflict on board. The ship still had ample food and water, was still seaworthy, and the only thing missing was one lifeboat. Despite a long investigation, nobody from the crew or passengers was ever found. This great maritime mystery has led to a series of bizarre theories, from toxic fumes to underwater earthquakes.
Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic where ships and airplanes have mysteriously disappeared under suspicious circumstances. The list of missing includes 'Flight 19', five bombers on a training flight in 1945 that never returned, along with the rescue plane that went after them. Another known case is the US Navy ship that disappeared in 1918 with 309 people on board, and the yacht Connemara IV found adrift with its crew missing in 1955.
![]()
The Ourang Medan
The fate of the Dutch ship 'Ourang Medan' when it sailed from Malaysia is perhaps one of the strangest maritime mysteries ever. In 1947, during its voyage, the ship sent an SOS signal stating the captain and crew were all dead. Most disturbingly, the radio operator also died mid-message. When the cargo ship 'Silver Star' responded to the distress signal, they found the entire crew dead with no obvious cause. Explanations range from hazardous chemicals to alien involvement, but to this day, no conclusion has been reached about the fate of the Ourang Medan's crew.
![]()
Giant Cats in Australia
Over the past century, repeated reports have been made of exotic giant cats roaming Australia's savannah. How did such oversized cats get to Australia? Explanations include escaped circus animals and wild cats growing to unprecedented sizes in the wild. The most famous sighting occurred when a local hunter shot one in 2005. DNA tests confirmed it was a wild cat, but its size was equal to that of a panther. How is this possible? No one knows.
![]()
The Eileen Moore Lighthouse Mystery
In 1900, only three people lived on Scotland's Eileen Moore island: the three lighthouse keepers. But, on December 26 that year, a supply ship arriving at the island was shocked to find the lighthouse keepers missing from the shore, as was their custom. After prolonged signals and fireworks, no one appeared. Eventually, a crew member was sent to check the lighthouse. Climbing the narrow stairs up to the lighthouse, the messenger felt an inexplicable sense of dread. When he reached the door, he found it unlocked. Inside, he found two out of three waterproof coats missing. In the kitchen, leftovers of a meal and an overturned chair were found. The kitchen clock had stopped, and the lighthouse keepers were nowhere to be seen. Further investigation revealed troubling entries in the last lighthouse logs. On December 12, one keeper, Thomas Marshall, wrote of strong winds, more intense than ever encountered. Marshall also noted that Head Keeper James Ducat seemed unnaturally quiet. Of the third keeper, former tough navy man William McArthur, Marshall wrote that he 'cried' during the storm. Marshall's entries continued, stating that the storm persisted for days and concluded with: "Storm ended, sea calm. Hashem reigns over all." The strange part? During the times recorded, no storm was actually reported in the area of Eileen Moore. From then until today, the fate of the three lighthouse keepers remains unknown.
![]()
The Hessdalen Lights
In 1997, Harald Dale was on a camping trip with his family in Norway's Hessdalen Valley. One evening, Dale left the tent to brush his teeth and noticed something odd: three lights in the sky forming a triangle and flashing. The lights hovered in the air, their brightness fluctuating every moment. Dale called his children to witness the phenomenon, and after a few minutes, the lights vanished. Dale, it turns out, was one of many people to have witnessed the so-called 'Hessdalen Lights.' Records of these occurrences date back to the 19th century, with reports detailing lights of various colors, including blue, red, and yellow, appearing near the ground and sometimes across the sky. Scientists have studied these lights for years but have yet to reach a consensus about their origin.
The Taos Hum
In the early 1990s, many residents of Taos, New Mexico, reported hearing a persistent low-frequency hum, baffling as it was pervasive. A study by the University of New Mexico found that only 2% of the population could hear the noise, but no research has determined its source. Sensitive recording devices set around the town failed to capture any unusual sounds, leaving the Taos Hum an unsolved enigma.
The Patomskiy Crater
In 1949, geologist Vadim Kolpakov began a research expedition in Siberia. As he entered territories that were barely explored, locals warned him not to proceed, claiming the forest contained a 'place of evil' where even animals avoid. Disregarding the ominous warnings, Kolpakov continued through the forest and was amazed to discover a massive crater, 25 stories deep. Up close, it looked like a volcanic crater, but Kolpakov knew no volcanoes were in the area. The crater also appeared relatively new, with Kolpakov estimating it formed around 250 years ago. The surrounding trees, noted by Kolpakov and his team, underwent a process of 'accelerated growth.' To this day, scientists have not deciphered the origin of the crater, but the superstitions survive, occasionally being reinforced. For instance, in 2005, a research expedition to the crater was canceled when the leader died of a heart attack just a few miles from the site. Locals, naturally, are convinced the 'evil' crater was to blame for the death.
In the isolated, arid region of southern Peru, the Nasca civilization thrived until about 1,400 years ago. The Nasca people created incredible artworks by removing the red stones covering the ground, exposing the white earth beneath. These artworks, known as the 'Nasca Lines,' include a variety of patterns and shapes, including animals like llamas, fish, birds, and monkeys. Some designs stretch over 200 meters wide. How could a primitive culture create such large-scale, accurate art without aerial views, which is the only way to see the full designs? Researchers are stumped.
Stonehenge
Stonehenge, a prehistoric site in England, is an earth mound surrounded by massive standing stones. No one knows why these gigantic stones were arranged this way or how it was done. The first stones at Stonehenge, known as bluestones, could have only come from their sole source in Britain—Wales, over 400 kilometers away. How were these stones transported using the primitive technology of the time? The larger stones might have been quarried closer, but it's unclear how they reached Stonehenge before the invention of the wheel. Additionally, archaeological finds show the stones were shaped with other stones, not iron, likely unavailable to the builders. These limitations make us believe a vast army of determined people built Stonehenge over many generations—or perhaps aliens brought the stones from space? Theories about Stonehenge's mystery are as old as the stones themselves, but there's no agreed-upon explanation to offer tourists a conclusive answer on how and why the site was built.
The Mary Celeste
On December 5, 1872, the British merchant ship Mary Celeste was found adrift in the Atlantic Ocean with all her cargo intact—except the crew and passengers. A thorough inspection revealed no signs of struggle or conflict on board. The ship still had ample food and water, was still seaworthy, and the only thing missing was one lifeboat. Despite a long investigation, nobody from the crew or passengers was ever found. This great maritime mystery has led to a series of bizarre theories, from toxic fumes to underwater earthquakes.
Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle is a region in the North Atlantic where ships and airplanes have mysteriously disappeared under suspicious circumstances. The list of missing includes 'Flight 19', five bombers on a training flight in 1945 that never returned, along with the rescue plane that went after them. Another known case is the US Navy ship that disappeared in 1918 with 309 people on board, and the yacht Connemara IV found adrift with its crew missing in 1955.
The Ourang Medan
The fate of the Dutch ship 'Ourang Medan' when it sailed from Malaysia is perhaps one of the strangest maritime mysteries ever. In 1947, during its voyage, the ship sent an SOS signal stating the captain and crew were all dead. Most disturbingly, the radio operator also died mid-message. When the cargo ship 'Silver Star' responded to the distress signal, they found the entire crew dead with no obvious cause. Explanations range from hazardous chemicals to alien involvement, but to this day, no conclusion has been reached about the fate of the Ourang Medan's crew.
Giant Cats in Australia
Over the past century, repeated reports have been made of exotic giant cats roaming Australia's savannah. How did such oversized cats get to Australia? Explanations include escaped circus animals and wild cats growing to unprecedented sizes in the wild. The most famous sighting occurred when a local hunter shot one in 2005. DNA tests confirmed it was a wild cat, but its size was equal to that of a panther. How is this possible? No one knows.
The Eileen Moore Lighthouse Mystery
In 1900, only three people lived on Scotland's Eileen Moore island: the three lighthouse keepers. But, on December 26 that year, a supply ship arriving at the island was shocked to find the lighthouse keepers missing from the shore, as was their custom. After prolonged signals and fireworks, no one appeared. Eventually, a crew member was sent to check the lighthouse. Climbing the narrow stairs up to the lighthouse, the messenger felt an inexplicable sense of dread. When he reached the door, he found it unlocked. Inside, he found two out of three waterproof coats missing. In the kitchen, leftovers of a meal and an overturned chair were found. The kitchen clock had stopped, and the lighthouse keepers were nowhere to be seen. Further investigation revealed troubling entries in the last lighthouse logs. On December 12, one keeper, Thomas Marshall, wrote of strong winds, more intense than ever encountered. Marshall also noted that Head Keeper James Ducat seemed unnaturally quiet. Of the third keeper, former tough navy man William McArthur, Marshall wrote that he 'cried' during the storm. Marshall's entries continued, stating that the storm persisted for days and concluded with: "Storm ended, sea calm. Hashem reigns over all." The strange part? During the times recorded, no storm was actually reported in the area of Eileen Moore. From then until today, the fate of the three lighthouse keepers remains unknown.
The Hessdalen Lights
In 1997, Harald Dale was on a camping trip with his family in Norway's Hessdalen Valley. One evening, Dale left the tent to brush his teeth and noticed something odd: three lights in the sky forming a triangle and flashing. The lights hovered in the air, their brightness fluctuating every moment. Dale called his children to witness the phenomenon, and after a few minutes, the lights vanished. Dale, it turns out, was one of many people to have witnessed the so-called 'Hessdalen Lights.' Records of these occurrences date back to the 19th century, with reports detailing lights of various colors, including blue, red, and yellow, appearing near the ground and sometimes across the sky. Scientists have studied these lights for years but have yet to reach a consensus about their origin.
The Taos Hum
In the early 1990s, many residents of Taos, New Mexico, reported hearing a persistent low-frequency hum, baffling as it was pervasive. A study by the University of New Mexico found that only 2% of the population could hear the noise, but no research has determined its source. Sensitive recording devices set around the town failed to capture any unusual sounds, leaving the Taos Hum an unsolved enigma.
The Patomskiy Crater
In 1949, geologist Vadim Kolpakov began a research expedition in Siberia. As he entered territories that were barely explored, locals warned him not to proceed, claiming the forest contained a 'place of evil' where even animals avoid. Disregarding the ominous warnings, Kolpakov continued through the forest and was amazed to discover a massive crater, 25 stories deep. Up close, it looked like a volcanic crater, but Kolpakov knew no volcanoes were in the area. The crater also appeared relatively new, with Kolpakov estimating it formed around 250 years ago. The surrounding trees, noted by Kolpakov and his team, underwent a process of 'accelerated growth.' To this day, scientists have not deciphered the origin of the crater, but the superstitions survive, occasionally being reinforced. For instance, in 2005, a research expedition to the crater was canceled when the leader died of a heart attack just a few miles from the site. Locals, naturally, are convinced the 'evil' crater was to blame for the death.
