The Most Mysterious Places on Earth

Some places on Earth are so old, we'll never be able to know their true history and significance. From the Great Sphinx to Easter Island, these extraordinary historical sites continue to wow and baffle us. It's not only amazing that they have lasted the test of time, but it's beyond mindblowing that they were built before technology made it easy for us. With so many questions we want answered, it's unfortunate we may never know the truth. That being said, these 20 historical landmarks around the world are ones you definitely have to see with your own eyes.

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1. The Stonehenge

As one of the most well-known historical landmarks in the world, the Stonehenge continues to confuse people with its mysterious backstory. Who moved these stones here? How could someone lift something so heavy back then? And lastly, why are the stones positioned to line up with the movement of the sun? Sadly, these are answers we'll probably never figure out.

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2. The Great Pyramid of Giza

You've likely heard of the theory that the Great Pyramid of Giza was built by aliens, and that's all thanks to how little we know about its creation. It's truly mindboggling wondering how the ancient Egyptians built something so grand, sturdy, and intricate. Complete with several chambers and passageways, we can only begin to ponder what other mysteries lie here.

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3. Machu Picchu

One look at Machu Picchu and we guarantee your jaw will drop in complete awe. This stunning historical landmark is definitely a must-see in your life. However, as beautiful as it is, why it was built and for what purpose remains a mystery to archaeologists today. Who knows if we'll ever find the answer!

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4. The Acropolis

A quick Google search is all you'll need to realize there are so many secrets and curiosities surrounding the Acropolis. Built during ancient Greece as a temple for Athena, modern day thinking has led us to several unique beliefs. One such example is that people have pointed out birds never fly over it. Pretty strange, don't you think?

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5. The Nazca Lines

Let's be honest, the moment we see lines formed in the ground, all of our brains immediately turn to, "It was the work of aliens!" And while that's definitely a theory for the Nazca lines, archaeologists believe these were created by the Nazca people who lived around 1-700 A.D. What the actual meaning and significance behind these lines remains uncertain though.

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6. Easter Island

It's not hard to see why Easter Island is a historical site shrouded in mystery. Just the sight of these giant statues of heads (called moai) might be enough to give you the creeps. Of course, being made by otherworldly beings is a popular guess, but these conspiracies can never be proved, much like the truth. And although its true history may never be revealed, its significance and cultural impact is undeniable; it was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.

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7. Chichén Itzá

Speculated to have been built by the Mayan people, this sacred historical site is revered as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The secrets behind this landmark has to do with its people - while the Mayan civilization thrived for many years, their sudden disappearance is unexplainable. And if we don't know about its creators, how can we guess what this actual site was used for? Was it for religious reasons, military, political? Who knows!

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8. The Bermuda Triangle

Is there any place on Earth more confusing and puzzling than the Bermuda Triangle? Throughout history, it's been repeatedly seen as an unexplainable point on the planet where disappearances and accidents run rampant. With so many stories told of no one coming back, it's definitely the last place you ever want to find yourself.

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9. The Colosseum

Also listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Colosseum is a breathtaking spectacle you need to visit. Thinking about how the Romans built something so impressive is hard to wrap your head around. But like the others on this list, plenty of weird theories surround the building. From Romans being fed to lions (which is a myth!) to containing trap doors and secret tunnels, we're certain there are tons of strange things lying around.

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10. Petra

Best known for its amazing rock-cut design and architecture, Petra is a historic city found in southern Jordan. Riddled in mystery, some have managed to discover hidden tombs within. That being said, archaeologists state most of it is still completely untouched and yet to be discovered! Apparently a lot was built underground, meaning many of its secrets are still unsheathed.

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11. Palenque

Named a UNESCO Heritage Site thanks to how important the Palenque is for our continued history, you already know it's a landmark likely filled with riddles. As another mysterious temple rooted in Mayan mystery, we can only step back in awe to admire its creation. This site is particularly interesting because it was filled with so many inscriptions, a discovery that helped archaeologists learn more about the history of these secretive people.

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12. Hagar Qim

One of the Megalith Temples of Malta, the Hagar Qim is one of the oldest, most religious sites found on the planet. Built way back sometime between 3600 and 3200 BCE, which is farther back than the Stonehenge, it's hard to pinpoint what its exact purpose was. But let us tell you, these rocks are no joke; they're unbelievably heavy, making it both amazing and confusing thinking about how these prehistoric constructors built this site.

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13. The Carnac Stones

The Carnac Stones found in France are another stone-made landmark that we can't explain. At least 7000 years old, this ancient site is completely mystifying. For about 4 miles, these stones are placed with various alignments with no clear purpose. Many theorize it has to do with sun and moon worshipping, while one myth even suggests it was a Roman army transformed into stone! With no clear answer, the best we can do is use our imaginations.

Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). on Wikimedia

14. The Underwater Remains of Alexandria

For many centuries, the ancient city of Alexandria was washed away into the sea. Lying deep beneath the watery depths, it was eventually discovered and numerous excavations were set out in an attempt to retrieve artifacts. And while many were successfully found, there's still a lot that lies underwater. Doesn't the thought of a submerged ancient city just give you mysterious vibes?

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15. Göbekli Tepe

Found in Turkey, the Göbekli Tepe is considered one of the world's oldest temples. That in of itself makes it truly spectacular! And with just one look at it, it's clear to see that it wasn't built as a home, but for some other purpose that remains a mystery. And with it being over 11,000 years old, we can only begin to imagine what its unique T-shaped pillars, carvings, and arrangement truly meant.

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16. Teotihuacan

Isn't it incredible knowing these landmarks were built solely by hand when technology wasn't around? The Teotihuacan is another remarkable instance of a stunning ancient city whose origins remain unknown. We're not even sure who built this one! However, archaeologists were able to estimate that this could've been one of the largest ancient cities found in the Americas. Now that's pretty awesome.

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17. The Great Sphinx

With its unique lion-shaped body and Pharaoh-like head, the Great Sphinx continues to be one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. There's always been a lot of speculation over it, from how old it is, who it was built for, how they built it, and how many secrets lie beneath it. While we can make some educated guesses, it unfortunately won't be something we can know for sure.

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18. Plain of Jars

Found in Laos, the Plain of Jars is certainly a unique sight to behold. Thousands of stone jars have been placed around Xiangkhoand Plateau, with some weighing up to 14 tons being 3 meters high and 1 meter wide. While it's believed to have been associated with ancient burial practices, it's hard to say. No one knows how old they are, why it was put in this formation, and who even built them.

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19. The Terracotta Army

Discovered on accident, the Terracotta Army found in China is one of the greatest yet most mysterious discoveries ever made. With no record of them in history, it's said that this tomb sat there hidden for over 2,000 years. It's even thought that more are still buried somewhere underground! What makes this historic site so unbelievable is that no two figures were made exactly alike. The details are honestly amazing and we can only imagine what other unique secrets are to be discovered here.

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20. Por-Bazhyn

Built on an island surrounded by water, Por-Bazhyn is definitely a confusing historic site archaeologists can't understand. Translating to "Clay House", there have been many guesses as to what it could've been. From being a fortress to a monastery and palace, this strange piece of land has very little known about it. Although its been linked to the Uyghurs people because of how old it's believed to be and where it's located, that might be all that can be confidently said about it for now. 

Por-Bajin Fortress Foundation on Wikimedia