9 "Unsolved" Mysteries That Have Been Solved
Turning over every stone is a cornerstone of human behavior: knowledge is power, right? Horror movie trends, UFO conspiracies, and binging crime TV all point to an inclination people possess to investigate the macabre and the unknown. Sure, there are a few infamous cases society has been intrigued by such as the Zodiac Killer and D.B. Cooper, which left investigators permanently stumped (and no, a good hunch does not count as solved). The good news, however, is that many famous legends from humanity's past have been able to be solved, even some as recently as the last few years. From King Tut to disappearing ghost ships, these true stories are almost impossible to believe.
King Tutankhamun's Cause of Death
An Egyptian Pharaoh and a Sudden Death—the 1324 BCE demise of King Tutankhamun generated multiple hypotheses concerning his tragically young end, including possible murder and various medical conditions. The answers remained elusive until significant advancements in medical imaging technology. In 2005, detailed imagery from a CT scan of King Tut's mummy at last provided a breakthrough. The images depicted a severely damaged leg that underwent a deadly case of necrosis exacerbated by malaria. Further examination indicated a subsequent infection in the broken leg, providing a plausible and scientifically supported explanation for the young pharaoh's sudden death, resolving the historical mystery.
The Bermuda Triangle Disappearances
Stick to the crow's nest and avoid this region, which, as legend has it, can perform quite the vanishing act. The Bermuda Triangle, in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean, is a region of mystery where numerous ships and aircraft have inexplicably disappeared. One example is the SS Cotopaxi, which went missing in 1925. Rumors about the triangle were built around such losses, but in 2020, the shipwreck's remnants were discovered near St. Augustine, Florida, providing some closure. Investigations indicate that many losses in the Bermuda Triangle, including the Cotopaxi, can likely be attributed to unpredictable weather and heavy maritime and air traffic, dispelling many of the myths and legends that shroud this area. The simple truth is if a lot of shipping is going through one area, there will be more emergencies that happen there in comparison with less utilized shipping and flight paths.
What Killed King Richard III?
For centuries, the circumstances of King Richard III's death in 1485 were a subject of speculation. His body was lost to history until its rediscovery beneath a Leicester parking lot in 2012. Examination of his skeletal remains revealed that he died from two severe blows to the head, which would have been fatal almost instantly. The researchers found other injuries inflicted post-mortem, likely as humiliation injuries. This evidence has provided insight into the brutality of medieval warfare and the fate of one of its most infamous kings, shedding light on historical accounts of his death at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
The Mystery of the Crystal Skulls
Archeologists and explorers discovered crystal skulls during the 19th and early 20th centuries, leading to speculation and myths surrounding their origin. Many believed these artifacts belonged to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations and held mystical or supernatural powers. However, after detailed analysis and investigation, experts discovered that these crystal skulls were not ancient artifacts at all. Modern tool marks on the skulls revealed they were made using 19th-century techniques, such as the rotary wheel which would have been foreign to ancient South Americans, decisively proving they were not the ancient relics many had believed them to be.
The Lost City of Helike
Helike, a prominent ancient Greek city, was believed to have abruptly sunk into the Earth in 373 BC. Historical accounts describe the city's sudden and devastating disappearance in just a single night, leaving behind no trace. For centuries, the city's whereabouts remained a puzzle, fueling various theories and expeditions aimed at uncovering its ruins. Nearly two millennia later, in 2001, Helike's location was finally determined. Archaeologists found the city buried beneath layers of mud and sediment in Greece, attributing its sudden destruction to a combination of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The Origin and Construction of Stonehenge
Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, has long baffled historians and archaeologists. The mystery of its origin and construction was partially solved with modern technology. Analyses show that the bluestones used to construct Stonehenge were transported from a quarry in Wales, nearly 220 miles away, around 3000-2000 BCE. It is believed that the builders used a series of sleds, rollers, and waterways to move these massive stones. Additionally, recent discoveries suggest that Stonehenge served as a solar calendar, used to mark the solstices and equinoxes, aligning with specific solar and lunar events.
The Wow! Signal
On August 15, 1977, a radio telescope at Ohio State University picked up a significant and unexplained 72-second signal from space. This event is known as the Wow! The signal triggered immense speculation concerning the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligence, as the signal's origin and purpose could not initially be determined. Thirty-nine years later, in 2016, researchers posited a more mundane explanation. They concluded that the mysterious signal was generated by the passage of a comet, known to release considerable hydrogen gas. This is what the telescope detected as opposed to a broadcast from an alien civilization.
Did Anastasia Escape the Bolsheviks?
Anastasia Romanov, the daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, was rumored to have escaped the execution of her family by the Bolsheviks in 1918. These stories fueled speculation and hope, with several women claiming to be the lost princess. However, in 1991, the graves of the Romanov family were discovered in a mass grave in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Initially, Anastasia's remains were thought to be missing, giving life to the rumors. However, further investigation of a new grave in 2007 and DNA testing confirmed that all the Romanov family members, including Anastasia, were buried there, putting an end to the mystery.
The Cause of the Tunguska Blast in 1908
On June 30, 1908, a massive explosion occurred near the Tunguska River in Siberia, flattening approximately 2,000 square kilometers of forest. The explosion is estimated to have been as powerful as 12 megatons of TNT. The cause of the explosion remained unknown for decades, leading to numerous theories, including a black hole passing near Earth and antimatter collisions. However, in the 1930s, researchers found evidence of a likely culprit: a meteoroid or comet. The lack of an impact crater led scientists to believe it exploded in the atmosphere, causing extensive damage and the airburst event that is associated with the Tunguska event.
Concluding Thoughts
The greatest enigmas can appear thanks to the passing of time, criminal conspiracy, or the brutality of Mother Nature. The magnitude is immediately popularized when it involves the murder of kings or the utter disappearance of massive ships, but the fruits of patience can occasionally provide results. Discovery is a hallmark of our current international society, and thankfully, there are researchers and experts with the quick wits to sate these buried questions. Give it a little more time, and who knows what we are yet to uncover about the past?
