- “Ancient Egyptian Pyramids Were Originally White”: The iconic pyramids of ancient Egypt, such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, were originally covered in smooth, white Tura limestone. Over the centuries, the outer casing stones were removed, exposing the rougher core stones that we see today.
- “The Indus Valley Civilization Had Advanced Urban Planning”: The ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 3300 to 1300 BCE in South Asia, had sophisticated urban planning. Cities like Mohenjo-daro featured well-organized street grids, public baths, and an advanced drainage system.
- “Mayans Invented the First ‘Zero'”: The ancient Mayans were among the first to develop the concept of zero as a numerical value. Their use of zero as a placeholder in their intricate calendar and mathematical calculations was a significant advancement in mathematics.
- “The Terracotta Army Guards Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Tomb”: The Terracotta Army in China is a massive collection of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots created to protect Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the afterlife. It was discovered in 1974, and its excavation revealed one of the most impressive archaeological finds in history.
- “The Roman Colosseum Had a Retractable Roof”: The ancient Roman Colosseum, a renowned amphitheater, had a sophisticated system of awnings and retractable coverings called the “velarium” that could shield spectators from the sun and rain during events.
- “The Olmec Civilization Used ‘Rubber’ Ball for Games”: The ancient Olmec civilization of Mesoamerica is credited with creating the first rubber ball for sports and games. They played a ball game known as the Mesoamerican ballgame, which had significant cultural and religious significance.
- “Ancient Greeks Had Vending Machines”: In ancient Greece, visitors to temples could buy holy water or wine using a simple vending machine-like device called a “klepsydra.” This early vending machine used weights and gravity to dispense the desired amount of liquid.
- “The Carthaginian General Hannibal Crossed the Alps with Elephants”: During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal famously led his troops, including war elephants, on a daring and treacherous journey across the Alps to invade Rome.
- “The Moai Statues of Easter Island Have Bodies Underground”: The mysterious Moai statues on Easter Island are famous for their large heads, but archaeological excavations have revealed that they also have bodies, with some statues buried up to their shoulders.
- “Ancient Mesopotamians Invented Writing”: The Sumerians of Mesopotamia are credited with inventing one of the earliest writing systems, known as cuneiform. They used wedge-shaped symbols impressed on clay tablets for record-keeping and communication.
10 CURIOUS FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
