Devin Jacobs
In all these years, certain artifacts have shifted without a touch, while others are guided by methods we’ve yet to fully understand. For people who fear the unknown, each one of these 10 mysteries will be a nightmare come true. Some were products of natural wonders, but others? We might never be able to comprehend.
The Walking Moai Of Easter Island
Nearly 1,000 Moai statues stand as silent sentinels on Easter Island. Oral legends say these statues walked from quarries to their platforms. While stoneworks in other places remain stationary, experiments proved that rocking motions with ropes enabled these monoliths to “walk.” It’s a feat of balance and not brute force.
The Self-Propelled Chariot Of Konark
The stone chariot of the Sun Temple in Odisha is famed for its massive wheels, which appear ready to roll. Carvings on the temple walls depict celestial beings driving the chariot. Local lore suggests the wheels once spun as if powered by magnets, but its functionality remains debated.
The Sliding Rocks Of Racetrack Playa
These rocks aren’t mythical, but their behavior is equally fascinating. Racetrack Playa rocks leave long trails in the desert, some stretching hundreds of feet. When scientists documented their motion using time-lapse cameras, they discovered it wasn’t just ice and wind at play—precise conditions had to align for the rocks to glide.
The Moving Statue Of Our Lady Of Akita
Religious believers flocked to Akita, Japan, in 1973 when a statue of the Virgin Mary allegedly wept and moved. The statue reportedly shed tears visible to hundreds, with its face appearing to change expression. While the Catholic Church noted it to be “worthy of belief,” skeptics argue natural causes might be at play.
The Rotating Statue Of Manchester Museum
A seemingly lifeless artifact, the Neb-Senu statue caused a stir when it rotated inside a sealed glass case. Video footage caught the statue spinning gradually over weeks. The culprit? Not supernatural forces or spirits, but subtle vibrations from foot traffic interacting with the statue’s uneven base.
The Moving Coffins Of Barbados
The Chase Vault in Barbados is tied to eerie legends of restless coffins. In 1812, workers found that heavy lead coffins had shifted wildly out of place despite the vault being sealed. Eventually, the coffins were removed to end the disruptions after flooding and earthquakes were ruled out.
The Floating Stone Of Rameshwaram
Certain stones in Rameshwaram, India, are said to float on water, a phenomenon linked to the Ramayana. Legend has it that these stones were used to construct a bridge for Lord Rama’s army. Scientifically, these “pumice stones,” which are formed by volcanic activity, contain air bubbles that make them buoyant.
The Obelisk Of Axum
The 160-ton Obelisk of Axum is one of the tallest ancient monoliths ever created. It was transported over rugged terrain without modern tools, seemingly defying gravity. Some believe wooden sleds and intricate pulley systems may have been used, but no evidence supports this fully.
The Tilting Monoliths Of Ollantaytambo
In Peru, Ollantaytambo houses giant stones transported across a river and up a steep mountain slope. Each monolith weighs over 50 tons, so their movement is literally a logistical wonder. How did they manage to go through the treacherous terrain? Plus, their interlocking construction even resists earthquakes.
The Crawling Stones Of Carnac
The standing stones of Carnac, France, stretch across the countryside in orderly rows, with some weighing over 350 tons. Compared to the Moai or Ollantaytambo stones, these seem aligned with solstices and celestial patterns. Folklore claims the stones move slightly during specific times of the year, but that is rooted in ancient myth.