Chapter 1 Mysterious Historical Findings

History is replete with unexpected revelations and enigmatic puzzles that continue to baffle researchers today. From bizarre weaponry crafted from human remains to mummies adorned with golden tongues, the past holds countless surprises.

1. A Monumental Statue from the 15th Century On New Year's Day last year, farmers in Mexico's Gulf Coast made a remarkable discovery while tilling the soil: a strange, hard object lay beneath the surface. Upon excavation, they unearthed a six-foot-tall limestone statue representing a Mesoamerican woman, believed to date between 1450 and 1521 AD.

Archaeologists note that the lack of similar artifacts in the region suggests this statue may have been influenced by Aztec culture, potentially relocated from its original site. Researchers speculate that the figure might depict a female ruler from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica, a deity, or a blend of both. Interestingly, while it exhibits Aztec characteristics, experts think it likely originated from the Huastec people, descendants of the Maya.

2. A Mummy with a Golden Tongue Egypt remains a land of countless mysteries. In 2021, archaeologists unearthed a peculiar mummy at Taposiris Magna, approximately 2,000 years old, featuring an artificial tongue crafted from gold. No other mummies have been discovered with such a feature, and nearby inscriptions fail to clarify its purpose.

Most historians theorize that the individual may have suffered from speech difficulties during their lifetime. To facilitate communication with the deities in the afterlife, a golden tongue was fashioned. However, the reasoning behind the choice of gold for this purpose remains a mystery.

3. Mummified Heads Linked to Punt Although the existence of the fabled land of Punt is debated, some scholars assert that it played a vital role in developing major trade routes, including the Silk Road. Ancient Egyptians frequently traded for Punt's goods, such as myrrh and gold, as well as the local Hamadryas baboon.

Archaeologists have long sought to pinpoint the location of Punt, believing that studying baboon remains could lead them there. A significant number of 3,000-year-old baboon skulls have been collected from Egyptian tombs and their structures analyzed. This research has traced many Hamadryas baboons back to Yemen, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia, suggesting that Punt may have been situated near these regions.

4. Human-Derived Weapons Around 10,000 years ago, a land bridge known as Doggerland connected mainland Europe to Britain. As the Ice Age ended and glaciers melted, Doggerland disappeared beneath the sea, leaving behind various weapons crafted from human remains.

Fewer than a thousand of these unique artifacts have been discovered along the coastlines of Ireland, Russia, and the Netherlands. Initially thought to be ordinary ancient weapons made from animal bones, closer examination has revealed unmistakable evidence of human origin. Many researchers believe these weapons may have held symbolic significance in their creation.