THEIR HIDDEN SECRETS

The New 7 Wonders of the World represents a collection of remarkable and significant architectural achievements from our modern history. This international list includes the following awe-inspiring structures: 1. The Great Wall of China, 2. Petra in Jordan, 3. Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, 4. Machu Picchu in Peru, 5. Chichén Itzá in Mexico, 6. The Colosseum in Rome, and 7. The Taj Mahal in India. Additionally, the list acknowledges the Great Pyramids of Giza, which hold a place of great importance.

Despite their prominence, much about the construction of these colossal pyramids remains a mystery, leaving us uncertain about the actual methods employed in their building. Throughout history, numerous theories have been proposed, including some far-fetched ones, like the notion that extraterrestrial beings were involved in their placement on Earth.

However, a recent development could potentially shed light on this age-old enigma. We present an intriguing image that might hold the key to unraveling the millennium-old secret. This discovery offers hope that we may finally gain insights into the techniques and processes that led to the creation of these magnificent structures.

Let's begin by exploring another extraordinary marvel of the world, the Great Wall of China.

China, known for hosting one of the earliest human civilizations, has a rich history of pioneering inventions like paper and gunpowder. Moreover, they established the groundwork for constructing the longest human-made structure ever known to humankind - the Great Wall of China. Stretching over an impressive 21,000 kilometers, this monumental structure traverses more than 400 towns across northern and central China.

Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall is not a single continuous entity. Instead, it comprises a series of fortifications and defensive ramparts that trace their origins back to the period between the 8th and 5th Centuries BC. During this era, China was divided into numerous smaller states in constant conflict with each other, each striving to expand its territory. In response to external threats, rulers of these states began constructing tall walls to repel intruders.

By the 3rd Century BC, the warring states unified under the rule of the Qin Dynasty, and their Emperor took up the task of extending and connecting various existing sections of the wall. However, it was during the Ming Dynasty, which ascended to power around the 14th century, approximately 1,700 years later, that the most renowned portions of the Great Wall were constructed.

Around one-third of the Great Wall, particularly its strongest segments, was constructed during the Ming Era with the primary aim of safeguarding against the Mongol tribes. The materials employed in the construction of the wall varied depending on the terrain it traversed and the resources available in the surrounding regions. Rammed soil and wood were used in many sections, while the sturdiest parts were built using materials like marble, bricks, and a unique mortar with a secret ingredient - sticky rice. Introduced during the Ming Era, this mortar proved to be as durable and water-resistant as cement, tightly sealing the bricks together, preventing weed growth between them. The Ming Era sections have endured over time, withstanding harsh weather conditions and earthquakes.

Creating the longest human-made structure posed immense challenges. Enormous stones and massive bricks had to be transported to mountain tops and through difficult terrains. Laborers, devoid of powerful machinery, relied solely on their bare hands and endured arduous journeys, leading to numerous deaths from hunger and exhaustion. Rough estimates suggest that around 400,000 laborers lost their lives during the wall's construction. Despite the sacrifices, the Great Wall of China stands as a testament to the skill and dedication of millions of laborers, drawing over 10 million visitors annually.

However, the wall faces preservation challenges. While some sections benefit from innovative mortar solutions and stone blocks, others are poorly maintained. Adverse weather conditions have caused approximately one-third of the wall to disappear over the years. Additionally, human activities, including villagers stealing building materials and an excess of tourists, have contributed to its decay.

Addressing a popular myth, the claim that the Great Wall is visible from the moon is incorrect. This myth emerged in the 1930s, before anyone had traveled to space, and even the first moon landing by Neil Armstrong confirmed that no man-made structure on Earth was visible from the moon.

Next, we uncover the secrets of another wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, a fascinating city situated 2400 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Once home to 300 to 1000 residents, this ancient site belongs to the historic Inca Empire, which was the largest empire in the Americas during its peak in the early 15th century. The ruins of Machu Picchu, comprising 200 buildings, showcase the impressive architectural skills of the Inca Civilization. The structures were crafted entirely from finely carved granite stones, ingeniously fitted together without the use of mortar, displaying the precision and expertise of the ancient builders. As a result of this building method, the structures at Machu Picchu exhibit remarkable earthquake resistance. During seismic events, the stone walls have the ability to shift slightly and then resettle without collapsing. Given that Peru experiences high seismic activity, this construction technique likely accounts for the enduring standing of most structures at Machu Picchu.

The purpose behind building this city in such a remote location and its subsequent abandonment remains a subject of debate among researchers. Some believe that it served as a royal estate and luxurious retreat for the Inca Emperor and the elite. Others argue that it was designed as a secure hideout to protect the Emperor in the event of a foreign invasion. Considering the sacred significance of the surrounding mountains to the Incas, it could have also functioned as a religious center, dedicated to honoring the landscape. The presence of multiple temples, including the impressive Temple of the Sun constructed with precision and top-quality materials, aligns with this possibility.

While the true reason for Machu Picchu's construction remains uncertain, it is known that the city's occupation was relatively short-lived. Less than a hundred years after its establishment, in 1528, the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire commenced. Concerned about looting and destruction, the inhabitants of Machu Picchu decided to abandon the city. To safeguard their retreat, they set fire to the surrounding forests, preventing further access routes up the mountain. Their strategy proved successful, as the Spanish invaders never discovered the city. Subsequently, after the Spanish victory in 1572, many other significant Inca cities were destroyed.

This included Vilcabamba, which was the last Inca city to be conquered by the Spanish. However, due to the absence of written records about Machu Picchu and its hidden location, it remained undiscovered. Over three centuries later, an American explorer and historian named Hiram Bingham embarked on a small expedition to Cuzco with the hope of finding the lost city of Vilcabamba.

Upon reaching a small settlement near Cuzco, the explorers inquired about ancient ruins in the area from a local farmer. The farmer informed them about extensive ruins high in the mountains, and on July 24, 1911, the explorers rode mules along the trails to reach the site. Although Bingham initially believed it to be Vilcabamba, it turned out that the ruins were, in fact, Machu Picchu. Today, more than a century after its discovery, Machu Picchu has become one of the world's most visited and cherished places.

Now, shifting our focus to ancient Egypt, an advanced civilization that emerged along the Nile river more than 5000 years ago. The enduring admiration for their culture, advancements in various fields such as mathematics, language, medicine, and architecture, remains evident to this day.

One of their greatest accomplishments, The Great Pyramid of Giza, continues to captivate people worldwide. Constructed in just 27 years, the pyramid initially stood at a height of 146.5 meters and comprised 2.3 million blocks, each with an average weight comparable to that of an SUV. The pyramid originally had a smooth white limestone casing that made it dazzle in the desert sun, and its tip featured a gold-plated capstone, giving it an exquisite appearance visible for kilometers in all directions.

Over time, the shiny casing stones were removed and repurposed for building other monuments, resulting in the current height of 138.5 meters. Despite the absence of modern tools, the ancient Egyptians ingeniously quarried, transported, and positioned these massive stones. Wooden sleds were likely used to move the blocks through the sand, and to reduce friction, they wet the sand, making it easier to move the heavy blocks to the construction site. The white limestone used for the pyramid's casing had to be transported by boat from Tura, approximately 10km to the south. Additionally, researchers discovered that around 8,000 tons of granite stones were transported from Aswan, located about 900 km south of the Nile. These granite stones, used for the king's chamber, weighed up to 80 tons each, roughly equivalent to the weight of 12 African male elephants.

The subsequent challenge involved the precise installation of these stones as the construction progressed to greater heights. Over the centuries, numerous theories have been proposed by scientists to address this aspect of pyramid construction, with most of them centering around the use of ramps. Given the absence of cranes and other modern building tools, ramps are believed to be the most viable method for transporting the massive stone blocks to the top of the pyramid.

The first theory suggests the use of a single straight ramp positioned on one side of the pyramid, which would be gradually elevated during construction. For this type of ramp, the inclination would need to be at a maximum of around 8 percent to avoid making it too difficult to drag the stones upward. However, this approach would result in an extensive ramp stretching approximately 1.8 kilometers in length. Building such a massive ramp could present a challenge greater than the construction of the pyramid itself.

The second and more efficient approach involves a ramp encircling the outside of the pyramid, leading toward the top. While this idea offers greater efficiency, the issue arises with incomplete corners until the completion of the construction process. This creates significant challenges in accurately measuring the angles at the corners and makes it exceedingly difficult to ensure precise alignment and perfect meeting of the corners at the pyramid's tip.

In 2003, French Architect Jean-Pierre Houdin introduced an alternative theory, unsatisfied with the existing explanations. After conducting approximately seven years of research and creating detailed 3D models, he proposed that an external ramp would be feasible for constructing only one-third of the pyramid from its base. For the remaining two-thirds of the structure, internal ramps in a corkscrew shape could have been utilized to ascend towards the top. This approach would result in a smaller ramp for the first third, facilitating easier corner alignment.

Supporting this idea, evidence surfaced during the 1980s when the Great Pyramid of Giza underwent microgravimetry scans, measuring object density to search for hidden chambers. Although no hidden chambers were found, an intriguing image revealed areas with lower density spiraling around the pyramid. This observation suggests that the internal ramp theory could provide an explanation for this phenomenon.

This suggests the existence of tunnels used in the construction of the pyramid. Unfortunately, further examination of these tunnels has not been possible due to the lack of discovered entrances. In addition to the mystery of its construction, there is an intriguing aspect concerning the builders' identity.

According to a popular myth attributed to Greek historian Herodotus, the Great Pyramid was constructed by slaves. However, extensive research has cast doubt on this claim. Archaeologists have uncovered remains of villages specifically built for the thousands of workers, who likely came from distant settlements along the Nile river in search of employment. In 2010, the slave theory was further discredited when newly discovered tombs containing the skeletons of pyramid builders were showcased in Egypt. These skeletons were meticulously preserved and buried alongside jars that once held beer and bread, intended for the workers' afterlife. The burial rituals observed were similar to those reserved for kings and elites, indicating that the workers were held in high regard and respected.

Despite various studies and discoveries, the exact method of building the Great Pyramid remains unconfirmed, and it is possible that the truth may never be fully unveiled.Undoubtedly, it is evident that Ancient Egypt possessed both the resources and expertise to accomplish this endeavor within a mere 27 years, demonstrating the extraordinary level of advancement and brilliance of their civilization.