Top Ten Archaeological Discoveries of Mankind

Author: Beijing Land Bridge Culture and Media
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The magnificent archaeological discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb reveals that Tutankhamun died from a murder. The inscription on the tombstone, "The curse of the pharaoh—those who enter the tomb will die," has come true. Who killed Tutankhamun? Over a thousand years before the Inca Empire, there was a mature society similar to a nation, with a civilization comparable to that of the ancient Inca Empire. This place boasts the most luxurious tombs in the Americas, and the unearthed potterys are adorned with terrifying bloodthirsty patterns. Did this bloodthirsty person exist? Who were the victims? What mysterious customs did this ancient civilization hide?
Maya civilization spans thousands of kilometers across Central America. At its peak, Maya society had a population of over millions. This astonishing ancient society possessed developed cities, grand architecture, a complete writing system, precise calendars, and incredible astronomical knowledge. Yet, this empire suddenly disappeared collectively at its height.
Sixteen hundred years ago, an earthquake and tsunami destroyed the world's most famous city—Alexandria in Egypt. A piece of history sank with it, including the palace of Cleopatra, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. The exploration of Alexandria, hailed by archaeologists as a "century-defining discovery," has raised questions about Cleopatra's legacy.
In the southwest of France, a child discovered a cave while playing. The cave walls and ceiling were filled with vibrant murals, resembling teaching diagrams. These murals are remnants of the pre-literary era, left by humans. Why did our ancestors paint them? What memories do these rocks hold?
They were a vast army, yet also an eternal mystery. Qin Shi Huang and his Terracotta Army shocked the world, and the yet-to-be-excavated mausoleum holds even greater secrets. Without a doubt, it contains more astonishing revelations.
On the Alps, a frozen body was discovered—a oldest and best-preserved mummy in the world. He offers a new perspective on the lifestyle of the Bronze Age, and archaeologists quickly found that he died from murder.
This was a pivotal moment in Western civilization. The Dead Sea Scrolls have given us insight into the chaotic origins of Western civilization. Radiocarbon dating shows that this ship, with a history of 3,300 years, is the oldest sunken ship ever discovered. Here, archaeologists uncovered a global trade network.
To understand what humans are, we must know where they came from. One discovery after another has finally revealed what evolved into humans. These are ten discoveries in archaeology that are truly great, each of which has shocked the world. Through the study of these historical relics, scientists have found milestones leading to the origins of humanity and past civilizations. However, alongside the forgotten history, scientists have also encountered the ten most baffling archaeological mysteries.
All the materials and photos in this book are exclusively authorized by Australian LIC and are from Beijing Land Bridge Culture and Media's branded television program "Legends." "Legends" is a localized overseas documentary series imported from 112 production and distribution companies in 14 countries, currently being broadcast on hundreds of television stations nationwide.