
In the northeast of Thailand, there is a family of enormous Stone Whales that gracefully swim through a forest. These Stone Whales, however, are not real whales but rather a part of a 75 million-year-old rock formation. Many years ago, this region of Thailand was a desert, but the movements of the Earth's crust pushed up Sandstone to create these captivating mountains. Today, these mountains have become a popular landmark for tourists who are willing to spend a day hiking up the network of trails. From the back of one of these majestic Stone Whales, visitors can gaze down upon the endless sea of green below, surrounded by waterfalls, exotic plants, and animals. And from the summit, one can even catch a glimpse of neighboring Laos. It's no wonder this place is called "Three Whale Rocks" – what a remarkable way to experience Thailand, riding on the back of a giant Stone Whale.
In March 2011, while digging in a Canadian mine, a worker made a shocking discovery – a nearly perfectly preserved specimen of a notosaur, an extinct dinosaur. This remarkable dinosaur, weighing around 3,000 pounds and reaching 18 feet in length, is estimated to be over 110 million years old. Its fossil was so well-preserved that the heavy body armor and scaly skin that once covered it can still be clearly seen. It took nearly a year of painstaking work to uncover this incredible find, and in 2017, the fossil was unveiled in a Canadian museum.
Interestingly, analysis of the notosaur's skin revealed shading that suggests it may have been capable of camouflage, similar to modern-day geckos and moths. This discovery, combined with its spines and scales, makes the notosaur a fascinating walking tank. Researchers are still studying this extraordinary fossil, and it could potentially provide valuable insights into uncovering more mysteries of the past.
The Voynich Manuscript is considered the world's most mysterious document since its discovery in 1912. This manuscript remains a complete enigma, heavily illustrated with strange pictures of alien plants, unknown objects, and zodiac symbols. However, the most intriguing aspect is its indecipherable writing. The language used in the text remains completely undeciphered, leaving scholars puzzled about its meaning, origin, and purpose. Some experts have claimed to decipher a few characters, but no significant breakthroughs have been made, leaving the manuscript's secrets intact.
If you ever find yourself in Australia, don't forget to visit the Mystery Craters in Queensland, located halfway between Bundaberg and Gin Gin. These craters were first discovered by a farmer in 1971 while plowing his fields. As he encountered large rocks, he noticed marine fossils and strange craters. Geologists investigated the area and uncovered a layer of sandstone and ochre stain, estimated to be around 25 million years old. The craters, believed to be caused by hot springs, former ocean activity, and meteors, are a fascinating natural phenomenon. And while you're there, you might wonder about the characters who named the nearby towns of Bundaberg and Gin Gin, as their names add a fun touch to the area.
The Antikythera Mechanism is an ancient device that has baffled scientists with its extraordinary design. Discovered in the wreckage of a Greek ship off the coast of the island of Antikythera in 1900, this ancient computer-like device stands out as an anomaly among the artifacts salvaged. The mechanism, believed to be around 2,000 years old, served as a calculator, enabling its user to track time, the movement of stars, eclipses, moon phases, and even countdowns to events like the Olympics with remarkable precision. The level of technology showcased by the Antikythera Mechanism is difficult to explain, given its ancient Greek origin. No comparable device existed until the 14th century when geared clocks began to be built in Europe. The creation of such a complex and advanced device so long ago raises questions about the potential impact its loss may have had on the development of technology during that time.
As you plan your summer vacation in Africa, your final destination is the Sahara Desert, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea in Northern Africa. The Sahara Desert, covering a staggering 3 million square miles, is the largest hot desert in the world. Your excitement builds as you anticipate riding camels and immersing yourself in the rich cultures of the region. Upon arrival, you find yourself in awe of the vastness and beauty of the desert.
Your first adventure takes you to a collection of oases, where you can spend two weeks exploring and marveling at the natural wonders. Alternatively, you have the opportunity to help solve an ongoing local mystery. Deep within the desert, near an Algerian town, lies a collection of huge spotted circles in the sand. These circles, stretching for miles in a straight line, have puzzled people since their discovery via Google Earth images several years ago. You embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind these mysterious circles.
Your journey begins with interviews with locals, including geographers, anthropologists, elders, and historians. After two days of interviews, you receive your first lead: the circles could be the result of oil activity. Experts explain that Algeria is rich in natural resources, making it plausible that seismic surveys were conducted to identify potential oil reserves. These surveys involved analyzing the Earth's surface by sending shockwaves into the ground and interpreting the reflected waves to determine what lies beneath. It is speculated that special vehicles marked the soil to indicate potential oil reserves.
However, another theory emerges during your investigation. The circles could be remnants of ancient water wells, as water is a precious resource in the Sahara Desert. The presence of salt in the circles supports this theory, as saltwater wells were commonly used to provide water for crops, livestock, and humans in ancient times. The name of the closest municipality, Fogarat Essaouia, further reinforces the possibility of ancient wells, as "fogarat" refers to the traditional wells known as "fogres."
Excited by this lead, you travel to the site and witness the remnants of these ancient wells. The Google satellite images confirm the presence of canads, a 2,500-year-old irrigation system commonly found in Northern Africa. Canads, also known as foggara, involved digging deep wells at elevated points to tap into underground water sources. Parallel shafts were then dug at regular distances, connecting the city to the well through an underground channel. Gravity facilitated the flow of water from the well to the city, providing a reliable water supply for various purposes.
While the initial lead of oil activity was proven inaccurate, the discovery of ancient canads and the presence of water wells shed light on the mysterious circles in the desert. You realize that the truth behind these circles lies in the ingenious water management systems of ancient civilizations, which allowed human settlements to thrive even in such arid environments.
After your adventure in Algeria, you embark on another exciting journey, this time to Poland, where you visit the mysterious Crooked Forest. As you arrive, you notice the peculiar shapes of the trees – their trunks are bent, resembling bellies. These curved trees have fascinated scientists and visitors alike for years, and various theories have been proposed to explain their unique appearance.
One hypothesis suggests that the trees' shapes were deliberately altered by local farmers to create furniture and details for ship manufacturing. The curved trunks provided convenient materials for crafting items such as baskets. However, the exact purpose and method of creating.
About the Creator
Ervīns Stūrītis
My mission is to educate my dear readers with true, interesting and helpful information to make their daily lives easier.




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