List of the greatest ancient mysteries of Africa

List of the greatest ancient mysteries of Africa

The continent of Africa has many intriguing unexplored ancient places that, up to today, remain a mystery. Africa is the second-largest continent in the world. Interestingly, it is also the second most populous continent globally. It has proven to be home to some remarkable mysteries. What are some of the ancient mysteries of Africa?

ancient mysteries of Africa
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If you have a soft spot for travelling and making discoveries around the world, then these fascinating destinations should be at the top of your list. You are likely to find some of the lost cities & ancient mysteries of Africa discoveries during your escapades.

Top 10 greatest ancient mysteries in Africa

Africa is home to some profound ancient mysteries. Most of these mystery structures were built many years ago, and today, remain a site to behold. Here are some of the greatest mysteries of Africa that will awe you.

1. Gedi Ruins in Kenya

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ancient mysteries of Africa
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This is an ancient city in Africa that was entirely built with coral stones, sand, and lime. Worth noting is that it had drainage gutters. A dense forest surrounds the lost town, and it is believed that some Egyptians and Phoenicians are behind its creations. This was before they found themselves stranded on the African coast. It also took place before the east African civilizations.

The small town has a disturbing reputation after the local people have heard various ghost tales. The streets were laid out with high walls and right angles. The old Swahili town was unknown to the Portuguese, even though they were only 15km away from it.

2. The mystery of the Lydenburg Heads in South Africa

ancient mysteries of Africa
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These artefacts have scarification marks or scars created to form patterns on the forehead, between the eyes, and temples. Interestingly, six of the heads are human, and the seventh one is a replica of an animal. The famous Austrian-South African mineral collector discovered the heads, Karl-Ludvig "Ludi" von Bezing, and he was still a young boy.

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He was playing on his father's farm, which was located near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, when he discovered them. He returned to the area years later and collected the heads. The mystery artefacts are one of the earliest African sculptures in South Africa.

3. Great Ruins of Zimbabwe

ancient mysteries of Africa
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These beautiful ruins cover about 385,000 square miles and are located in Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. It is a tourist attraction that holds about five hundred structures. The structures were built of rock and joined together in an unknown method. The most interesting detail about them is their lack of windows or doors, making them inhabitable for the ancient African tribes.

4. Lake Natron in Tanzania

ancient mysteries of Africa
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It is referred to as the lovely and deadly lake that can turn animals into stones. According to researchers, the waters are high in both alkaline ph and salt. It is believed to have an alkalinity of up to 10.5. As a result, any animals that come into contact with the water end up undergoing calcification and turn to stone.

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Nonetheless, some creatures have managed to survive in the same water. Some of the animals include a specific breed of flamingos and the Alcolapia fish.

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5. Osun-Osogbo sacred grove in Nigeria

ancient mysteries of Africa
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The Osun-Osogbo sacred grove is located on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo in Southern Nigeria. Hidden in the dense forest are several ancient puzzling odd-looking sculptures. The structures have very strange features and huge eyes. The grove is referred to as the habitat of the goddess of fertility Oshun, one of the Yoruba gods. You are also likely to find monkeys and shrines. The formation of the grove remains a mystery.

6. The Giant Blue Eye of Mauritania

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This great and strange wonder of Africa is located in Mauritania, ancient West Africa. The giant blue eye of Africa is also referred to as the Eye of the Sahara and is estimated to be more than 100 million years old.

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It appears as a beautiful blue circle. According to some people, it is believed that the mystery was created due to a volcanic eruption or erosion. A different group of researchers terms it as a hole formed when God flooded the earth with water during Noah's times.

7. The Mysterious Tomb KV55 in Egypt

ancient mysteries of Africa
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The discovery of the contents of Tomb KV55 in 1907 remains a mystery. It is believed to have borne the seal of Tutankhamen. However, the claims remain unconfirmed. It is recorded that Tutankhamen was buried nearby, and his tomb remained undiscovered until years later. The tomb was sealed to keep the mummy inside. The mummy has been well desecrated and displayed as a woman but was later discovered to be a man.

8. The Igbo-Ukwu bronzes in Nigeria

ancient mysteries of Africa
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These ancient stones are a sight to behold. They display a high level of artistic and technical skills. Isiah Anozie first discovered it in 1939. Interestingly, he did not have a clue of the significance of the objects he had found, and so he shared them out to his neighbours and friends.

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As a result of technical incompetence, it was reported that the bronzes were created after the European and ghost travellers' contact. However, research later revealed that the metal is of local origin. Some of the carnelian beads and glass discovered were believed to be produced in Old Cairo, which showed that a long-distance system existed between the two communities.

9. The Pyramid of Egypt

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Not even scientists are sure of how the great pyramids were built. The structures are quite impressive and were created by the Egyptians who resided in a nearby city. According to the put-up structures, it is evident that the community was rich in resources and well organized. However, the ability to put up the structures remains a mystery to date.

10. The seven-coloured Earth of Charamel in Mauritius

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This is a major tourist attraction in the world. It is located in the Rivière Noir district, in the south-west of Mauritius. The area is covered with dunes of seven different lovely colours. It is believed that it was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption.

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Listed above are some of the greatest ancient mysteries of Africa that have remained a site to behold. These mysteries are also significant tourist attractions.

READ ALSO: Trove of coins unearthed in Israel, traced back to 9th century

Meanwhile Briefly.co.za earlier reported that Israeli teenagers dug up hundreds of gold coins that were buried in a clay vessel for more than a thousand years. The value of the currency could have been able to buy an expensive house during its time. While the identity of the owner remains unknown, the number of gold coins was put at 425.

The 24-carat pure gold coins date back to as far back as the ninth century known as the Abbasid Caliphate period. Robert Kool, a coin expert, said that the money could have been big money during its time.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Ruth Gitonga avatar

Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for five years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.