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The Hunt For The Queen Of Sheba's Legendary Treasure | Myth Hunters | Odyssey

Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries・30 minutes read

King Solomon, famous for his wisdom, wealth, and women, was believed to have mines in Africa by explorer Carl Ma, sparking a gold rush. However, archaeological evidence later confirmed that Great Zimbabwe was built by the Shona people, debunking the myth of King Solomon's Mines.

Insights

  • Carl Ma believed he discovered King Solomon's Mines in Africa, sparking a gold rush and speculation about the legendary king's wealth, but subsequent archaeological findings disproved his theory, highlighting the importance of rigorous research and verification in historical claims.
  • The story of King Solomon's Mines, popularized by H. Rider Haggard's novel, lacks a historical basis according to the Bible, but ongoing archaeological discoveries, like inscriptions referencing King David, challenge this notion, emphasizing the evolving nature of historical understanding and the need for multidisciplinary approaches in uncovering the past.

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Recent questions

  • What did Carl Ma believe he found in Africa?

    King Solomon's Mines

  • Who challenged Mount's theory about the ruins?

    David Randall-McIver

  • What did Gertrude Kon Thompson's excavation confirm?

    The ruins' African origin

  • What inspired H. Rider Haggard's novel "King Solomon's Mines"?

    Mount's discovery

  • What did recent archaeological findings suggest about King Solomon?

    Possible existence of mines

Related videos

Summary

00:00

King Solomon's Mines: A Legendary Discovery

  • King Solomon, known for his wisdom, wealth, and women, surpassed all other kings in these aspects.
  • The Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon with gifts from the mystical land of Ophir, including gold and spices.
  • Carl Ma, an explorer, believed he had found King Solomon's Mines in Africa.
  • Ma's interest in Africa stemmed from a childhood gift of an old Atlas showing Africa as unexplored.
  • Portuguese explorers believed a fortress in Africa was the source of King Solomon's wealth.
  • The Bible mentions Solomon dispatching ships to Ophir and Tarshish for wealth.
  • Ma connected the Portuguese accounts to a port town in Africa, believing it to be Ophir.
  • Ma prepared for 11 years before embarking on his Africa expedition.
  • Ma faced hardships and starvation during his exploration in Africa.
  • Ma discovered gold mines in the Tarti region, sparking a gold rush and speculation about King Solomon's wealth.

22:39

Phoenician Ruins: Africa's Great Zimbabwe Mystery

  • The ruins were built without mortar, matching a 16th-century description by Vincente Pato.
  • Local tribesmen indicated the region was uninhabited before their arrival, suggesting white people once lived there.
  • Mount believed the ruins resembled King Solomon's Temple and other Phoenician structures.
  • Phoenicians were known for building without mortar, using cedarwood, which was found in the ruins.
  • Mount concluded the ruins were built by Phoenicians, not native Africans, resembling Solomon's Temple.
  • Mount's discovery inspired H. Rider Haggard's novel "King Solomon's Mines," sparking interest in Africa.
  • Mount's theory was challenged by archaeologists like David Randall-McIver, who dated the ruins to the 14th century.
  • Gertrude Kon Thompson's excavation further disproved Mount's theory, confirming the ruins' African origin.
  • Mount's conclusions were debunked, with the ruins now recognized as Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Great Zimbabwe was built by the Shona people between the 12th and 15th centuries, showcasing African achievement.

42:32

"King Solomon's Mines: Archaeological Discoveries Unveiled"

  • The country's name is derived from an archaeological site, a unique occurrence. Carl Mal's 1871 discovery could have altered perceptions of African civilizations significantly.
  • The story of King Solomon's Mines, popularized by Haggard's novel, lacks historical basis according to the Bible. However, recent archaeological findings, like an inscription referencing King David, suggest otherwise.
  • Modern scientific archaeologists are uncovering evidence of mines possibly from King Solomon's era, particularly copper mines in Jordan. While the search for King Solomon's Mines continues, the existence of the Queen of Sheba remains elusive.
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