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20 Insane Ancient Inventions That Will Blow Your Mind

The Infographics Show・22 minutes read

Various historical artifacts and ancient discoveries, such as the Cochno Stone, Damascus Steel swords, Roman Dodecahedron, Lycurgus Cup, Voynich Manuscript, and Gobekli Tepe, showcase advanced technologies and mysteries from different civilizations worldwide, highlighting the ingenuity and skills of ancient peoples. These artifacts provide insights into ancient engineering, metallurgy, art, and technology, sparking curiosity and wonder about the capabilities of past civilizations and the knowledge they possessed.

Insights

  • The Cochno Stone, discovered by Reverend James Harvey in 1887, is a massive rock in Scotland covered in ancient cup-and-ring art, believed to hold religious significance and was hidden in 1965 due to concerns of vandalism.
  • The Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient analog device made up of eighty-two distinct fragments, is considered the first computer, designed by the ancient Greeks to calculate celestial positions, predict eclipses, and track time for events like the Olympics, showcasing remarkable ancient technological prowess.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Cochno Stone?

    The Cochno Stone, discovered in Scotland in 1887, is a massive rock measuring 42 by 26 feet covered in intricate cup-and-ring art. It is believed to have religious significance and was buried in 1965 due to fears of vandalism.

  • What is the significance of the Lycurgus Cup?

    The Lycurgus Cup, a fourth-century Roman artifact, is known for its unique ability to change color from red to green. This color change is attributed to nanotechnology involving gold and silver particles embedded in the glass, showcasing ancient craftsmanship and innovation.

  • What is the mystery surrounding the Voynich Manuscript?

    The Voynich Manuscript, carbon-dated to the early 15th century, remains an enigma due to its unknown language and bizarre script. Scholars and cryptographers have been unable to decipher its contents, leading to various theories about its origin and purpose.

  • What was the purpose of the Aeolipile created by Hero of Alexandria?

    Hero of Alexandria created the Aeolipile, an early steam turbine that rotated when steam was pumped into it. This invention was possibly used for weather prediction or as a showpiece to demonstrate the power of steam technology in ancient times.

  • What is the Baghdad Battery?

    The Baghdad Batteries, unearthed in modern-day Iraq, are speculated to be ancient galvanic cells capable of electroplating objects. While some believe they were used for this purpose, skeptics question their true function and purpose in ancient times.

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Summary

00:00

Ancient Mysteries: Stone, Steel, and Symbols

  • Reverend James Harvey discovered the Cochno Stone in 1887 in Scotland, measuring 42 by 26 feet, covered in cup-and-ring art.
  • The Cochno Stone is believed to have religious significance and was covered up in 1965 due to vandalism fears.
  • Damascus Steel swords from the Near East in the 13th century were known for their high carbon content and shatter-resistant blades.
  • The technique to make authentic Damascus Steel blades was lost, leading to the production of factory-made knockoffs.
  • The Roman Dodecahedron, found in various European countries, remains a mystery with theories suggesting it was used as dice, measuring devices, or candle-holders.
  • The Lycurgus Cup, a fourth-century Roman artifact, changes color from red to green due to nanotechnology involving gold and silver particles.
  • The Icelandic Vegvisir compass used eight runes to point in cardinal directions, believed to be a symbol of protection.
  • Heron's Greek Doora in Alexandria used a unique system involving a brass pot and water to open doors ceremonially.
  • The Nazca Lines in Peru, over two thousand years old, are carefully carved designs believed to be religious symbols or linked to constellations.
  • The Nimrud Lens, found in modern-day Iraq, is a three-thousand-year-old carved piece of rock crystal possibly used to focus sunlight.

10:22

Ancient Mysteries and Technological Marvels

  • The Voynich Manuscript, carbon-dated to the early 15th century, remains a complete mystery due to its unknown language and bizarre script.
  • Hero of Alexandria created the Aeolipile, an early steam turbine, which rotated when steam was pumped into it, possibly for weather prediction or as a showpiece.
  • Ancient hunters used desert kites, stone traps resembling kites, to capture live game by luring them into a narrow neck where they could be killed.
  • Gobekli Tepe, a site dated to at least 8000 BCE, was a massive complex atop a mountain theorized to be a meeting place for nomadic tribes to worship.
  • Zhang Heng's seismoscope, a bronze urn-like device with a swinging pendulum, could predict the general direction of earthquakes, showcasing advanced ancient technology.
  • The Indus Valley civilization had a sophisticated water supply and sanitation system over four thousand years ago, including underground drains and private waste disposal.
  • Sacsayhuaman, a fifteenth-century citadel in Peru, featured a wall constructed with interlocking stones without binding materials, showcasing advanced construction techniques.
  • The Baghdad Batteries, unearthed in modern-day Iraq, are speculated to be ancient galvanic cells capable of electroplating objects, though skeptics question their true function.
  • Greek Fire, a deadly weapon of the Eastern Roman Empire, was a flamethrower that spread fire on water, sinking enemy ships with a unique design and ingredients like sulfur and resin.
  • Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England, remains a mystery in terms of construction methods, possibly involving neolithic technology like sleds and pulleys for moving massive stones.

20:40

Ancient Greeks' First Computer: Antikythera Mechanism

  • The Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient analog device made up of eighty-two distinct fragments, is believed to be the first computer ever built. It was designed to calculate the stars' locations, predict lunar and solar eclipses, and track time for the early Olympics, showcasing the advanced technological capabilities of the ancient Greeks.
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