The Earth is full of mysterious ancient inventions that lead us to think beyond the rational possibilities. Our list below includes few old creations, still unexplained and confusing for the scientists of the 21st century.
5 – The formula for Damascus steel
When they returned from the Crusades, many confused Europeans started speaking about swords used by Islamic warriors “that could slice through a floating handkerchief, bend 90 degrees and flex back with no damage.”
In 21 century though, the formula for the so-called “Damascus steel” still remains unknown.
The swords were most probably produced out of crucible steel, which is made of melting iron with plant matter.
However, it is a mystery of what kind of crucible steel was employed to produce such a sword.
4 – The Antikythera Mechanism – an enigmatic astrological calendar
This complex instrument was found at the bottom of the sea in 1901 and it was evaluated to be created at the end of the second century BC. It “calculated and displayed celestial information, particularly cycles such as the phase of the moon and lunisolar calendar,” stated the research gathered by Nature.
However, we have no idea about who built this gadget, what was its purpose and who used it. It is also a mystery how this object is more complicated than any other produced at least a millennium after.
3 – Zhang Heng’s Seismoscope was somehow able to detect earthquakes
The first tool to detect an earthquake in the history of humankind was a magnificent, golden, dragon decorated craft from around 132 AD.
Furthermore, every time an earthquake strikes, one of the dragons, each depicting directions of the compass, would eject a ball into a toad’s mouth, showing the direction of the quake.
Apparently, the tool had “detected a four-hundreds-mile distant earthquake which was not felt at the location of the seismoscope.”
Some people believe it’s a simple pendulum-based system, but its exact mechanism still remains a puzzle.
2 – The Iron Pillar of Delhi that won’t rust
The famous “Iron Pillar of Delhi” is older than 1600 years and lately caused the scientists to have different captions for the reason why it just won’t corrode.
One scholar named Team Environment claims the gentle temperature of Delhi, India is the rationale for the Pillar non-rusting feature.
Another one, named Team Materials, says it’s about “the presence of phosphorus and absence of sulfur and manganese in the iron,” plus its large mass.
However, the pillar that it’s somehow not rusting intrigues the people for years. Also, both scholars are curious how the rust-resistant iron lumps were “forge-welded to produce the massive six-ton structure.”
1 – What was the use of the giant balls of Costa Rica?
Scientists have found out the way these enormous balls were formed. From around ca. 200 BC to AD 800, locals used “fracture, pecking and grinding” methods to decrease granodiorite, a large stone, into these globular objects.
The puzzling thing that troubles us is why they did what they did. Probably, we will never understand, since ravagers moved them from their initial areas. This made it impossible for the scientists to investigate their theories.
