10 Mind-Blowing Historical Secrets You Should Know About

#5. The Ritual Landscape

Researcher were able to unearth a burial mound of 5,000 years old. It is called Byrn Celli Ddu. Whenever the summer solstice aligns, the sunlight illuminates the inner room of the mound through its corridor. In the past few years, researchers proposed that Byrn Celli Ddu was not the only wonder in the location. Later on, they did discover a massive ritual landscape that is believed to have existed in ancient times.

There were ten rock carvings, all filled with pottery and archaic tools. These are proof that the ancient people used the location for their rituals and/or ceremonies. The researchers confirmed that the entire cemetery lining the area belonged to Byrn Celli Ddu.

#4. The Funeral Shelf of Jesus

The 19th-Century shrine called Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is deemed as the most sacred place in all of Christianity. After all, it is the tomb of Jesus Christ. Researchers conducted various radar tests in order to determine the origins of the tomb. They eventually removed the marble slab, which is said to cover the shelf in which the body of Jesus once rested. Just underneath the panel, a rubble was found. There was also a marble slab, but this time around, there was a carved cross.

The very moment the marble slab was lifted, the original burial bed was exposed. The entire team was even surprised, as they did not expect to find another shelf. They proposed that this was the very grave of Jesus. The only catch, however, is that the Bible speaks differently. The savior is said to have been kept in a rock-hewn tomb just outside of Jerusalem.

#3. The Avebury Square

Avebury is considered to be the largest stone ring in all of Europe. Until now, researchers are still wondering why a Neolithic civilization decided to arrange 100 huge stones into three circles. They were developed sometime in 2850-2200 BC. Apparently, researchers discovered a new set of hidden stones. Not only were they unexpected, they also somehow change the theory of Avebury’s beginnings.

The new find now suggests that Avebury was built from the inside out, not the other way around. In fact, it is believed to be a wooden house at first. The rings, which made the place famous, were later on added by the ancient civilization.

#2. The Home of Sally Hemmings

For those who do not know Sally Hemmings, she was one of the 600 slaves owned and controlled by the infamous Thomas Jefferson. The latter was none other than the third president of US. Hemmings was the one who gave birth to several child while living under Jefferson’s mansion called Montecillo in Virginia. The 5,000-acre plantation became Hemmings sanctuary, but as to where exactly, it remains to be seen. A grandson of Jefferson claimed that she lived somewhere in the South Wing of the mansion.

When researchers finally discovered her room, there were tons of artifacts acquired. It is worth noting that Hemming’s life before the discovery was only described by four physical descriptions. She was believed to be special to Jefferson, as she received different treatment from him.

#1. Michaelangelo’s Chamber

The chamber was unraveled in a very odd way. In 1975, the Medici Chapels wanted to have another tourist exit. This prompted the museum’s director to locate a place for the said exit. But surprisingly, the search resulted to a Renaissance treasure. They found a trapdoor that leads to a small chamber. The director then ordered the removal of a wall plaster, as his instincts was telling him to do so. His decision was later on coined as “one of the major artistic finds of the 20th century.”

The findings included some of Michelangelo’s lost work. There were several drawings that have details similar to the other works of the legendary painter. Researchers believe that the paintings were purposely hidden by Michelangelo to protect them from the very powerful Medici family in 1530. The artist basically turned against the family, as he chose to side the Florentines. As soon as the Medici returned from their exile, Michelangelo’s life was at risk.