Unsolved Historical Mysteries of the World

The Disappearance of the Romanovs

One of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century is the disappearance of the Romanovs, the last reigning family of Imperial Russia. Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed by Bolshevik revolutionaries in 1918, but the bodies of the Tsar, his wife, and their five children were never found. Conspiracy theories abound, from the idea that the family escaped to Siberia, to the possibility that they were spirited away by loyalists. In 2007, a set of bones were discovered in a mass grave in Ekaterinburg, Russia, and identified as the remains of the Tsar and Tsarina, but the fate of their children remains unknown.

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

In 1587, a group of English settlers arrived in what is now North Carolina, founding the first English colony in the New World. The colony, known as Roanoke, mysteriously disappeared without a trace three years later. Despite numerous attempts to locate the missing colonists, no trace of them has ever been found. The only clue to their disappearance is the word “Croatoan”, which was carved into a tree near the settlement. To this day, the fate of the Roanoke colonists remains a mystery.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but their exact location remains a mystery. Described by the Greek historian Strabo as a “remarkable feat of engineering”, the gardens are believed to have been built by King Nebuchadnezzar II in the 6th century BC. Despite numerous attempts to locate the site, no trace of the gardens has ever been found. Some archaeologists believe the gardens never existed, and were merely a figment of the ancient writers’ imaginations.

The Piri Reis Map

The Piri Reis map is a 16th-century map that appears to depict the coast of Antarctica, centuries before it was discovered by Europeans. The map was drawn by the Ottoman admiral Piri Reis, and is believed to have been based on much older maps. The accuracy of the map has led to speculation that it may have been based on knowledge of an unknown civilization, or that it was created with the help of extraterrestrial beings. To this day, the origin of the Piri Reis map remains a mystery.

The Voynich Manuscript

The Voynich Manuscript is a mysterious book that dates back to the 15th century. Written in an unknown language and illustrated with strange pictures, the book has baffled scholars for centuries. The manuscript has been studied by cryptographers, linguists, and historians, but no one has been able to decipher its meaning. Some believe the book is a hoax, while others think it may be the work of an unknown medieval author. The true meaning of the Voynich Manuscript remains a mystery.

The Death of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was one of the most successful military commanders in history, conquering much of the known world before his death in 323 BC. While his cause of death is widely believed to have been a fever, some historians have suggested that he was poisoned. To this day, the exact cause of Alexander’s death remains a mystery.

The Lost City of Atlantis

The legend of the lost city of Atlantis has captivated the imagination of people for centuries. Described by the Greek philosopher Plato as a great naval power, Atlantis is believed to have sunk into the sea in a single day and night. While some believe the story to be a myth, others have suggested that it may have been based on a real city that was destroyed by a natural disaster. The true fate of Atlantis remains a mystery.

The Pyramids of Giza

The Great Pyramids of Giza are some of the oldest and most mysterious structures in the world. Built between 2550 and 2490 BC, the pyramids are believed to have been built by the ancient Egyptians as tombs for their rulers. Despite numerous attempts to decipher the purpose of the pyramids, their true purpose remains a mystery. Some believe they were built as monuments to the gods, while others think they may have been used as astronomical observatories.

The Stonehenge

The Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious and iconic monuments in the world. Located in Wiltshire, England, the monument consists of a ring of standing stones that are believed to have been erected in the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. Despite numerous attempts to decipher the purpose of the Stonehenge, its true meaning remains a mystery. Some believe it was used as a temple or an astronomical observatory, while others think it may have been a spiritual site or a burial ground.

The Voyages of Marco Polo

Marco Polo was an Italian merchant and explorer who is best known for his travels to Asia. While his accounts of his voyages were initially met with skepticism, many of his claims have since been verified. However, some of his stories remain shrouded in mystery, such as his claim that he visited a “lost kingdom” in the Himalayas. To this day, the truth behind Marco Polo’s travels remains a mystery.