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Machu Picchu -

Machu Picchu, perched high in the Andes mountains of Peru, is an ancient Incan citadel that raises questions about its purpose. Believed to have been built in the 15th century, it exhibits remarkable architectural precision. Scholars debate whether it was a royal estate, a religious sanctuary, or an astronomical observatory.

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Angkor Wat -

Angkor Wat is a sprawling temple complex in Cambodia renowned for its grandeur and intricate carvings. It was constructed in the 12th century by the Khmer Empire. Despite its historical significance, there is an ongoing mystery surrounding its decline. 

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The Sphinx -

The Great Sphinx of Giza, with the body of a lion and a human head, is a defining symbol of ancient Egypt. Yet, its origins and purpose are shrouded in mystery. While commonly associated with the pyramids, the exact role of the Sphinx is unknown, and its age is a subject of ongoing research.

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Petra -

Petra, located in Jordan, is known for its rock-cut architecture and striking rose-red cliffs. The Nabateans are believed to have built it around the 5th century BCE. The mystery of Petra revolves around its purpose and the Nabatean civilization that carved it into the mountains.

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Easter Island -

Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited islands, is famous for its colossal stone statues known as Moai. The mystery lies in how the ancient Rapa Nui people transported and erected these massive figures. Additionally, the reasons for the decline of their once-thriving civilization are still not fully understood.

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Great Zimbabwe -

Great Zimbabwe is an ancient city known for its impressive stone walls. While it is clear that it was a significant center of trade and culture, the identity of its builders and the reasons for its decline remain mysterious. The civilization that created it left no written records, leaving historians with puzzles to solve.

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Teotihuacan -

Teotihuacan, located in Mexico, boasts the Pyramid of the Sun, one of the largest pyramids in the world. The identity of the civilization that built Teotihuacan and the reasons behind its decline are still uncertain. 

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Stonehenge -

Stonehenge, located in England, is a circle of massive standing stones. Its purpose, construction methods, and the culture that built it are subjects of intrigue. Theories range from it being an astronomical observatory to a religious site, but definitive answers remain elusive.

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The Lost City of the Monkey God -

Deep within the Honduran jungle lies a recently discovered ancient city. Archaeologists are still in the early stages of exploration, making it a modern-day archaeological mystery. The city's identity, purpose, and the people who once inhabited it are subjects of ongoing research.

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Mohenjo-Daro -

Mohenjo-Daro, located in modern-day Pakistan, was once part of the ancient Indus Valley civilization. Despite its advanced urban planning and impressive drainage system, the reasons for its decline and eventual abandonment remain unclear. 

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Troy -

Troy, situated in modern-day Turkey, gained fame through Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. The city's role in the Trojan War and its subsequent destruction have been subjects of myth and debate. Archaeological excavations at the site aim to uncover its historical reality.

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Terracotta Army -

The Terracotta Army in China is a collection of thousands of life-sized clay soldiers buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. While it's clear that they were meant to accompany the emperor in the afterlife, the details of their creation and the full extent of the tomb's treasures remain fascinating mysteries.

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Pompeii -

Pompeii, an ancient Roman city, was preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The suddenness of its destruction and the remarkably well-preserved artifacts offer a glimpse into daily life in antiquity. The mystery lies in the lives of its inhabitants and the cataclysmic event that buried the city.

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Tikal -

Tikal, situated in the dense rainforests of Guatemala, was one of the most significant cities of the ancient Maya civilization. Its grandeur and architectural marvels evoke questions about its political structure, societal organization, and the reasons for its eventual abandonment.

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Gobekli Tepe -

Gobekli Tepe in Turkey is often regarded as the world's oldest known temple complex. It was built before the advent of agriculture, challenging existing theories about the development of ancient civilizations. The mysteries surrounding its T-shaped pillars and carvings invite us to reevaluate our understanding of early human history.

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Sigiriya -

Sigiriya, a dramatic rock fortress in Sri Lanka, holds stories of power and betrayal. Its origins as a royal palace and its intricate frescoes raise questions about the civilization that built it and the events that unfolded within its walls.

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Fengdu -

Fengdu, known as the "Ghost City" in China, is famous for its intricate temples dedicated to the afterlife. It reflects Chinese mythology and spiritual beliefs surrounding the journey of the soul in the afterworld. Its unique blend of folklore and history continues to intrigue visitors.

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Cahokia -

Cahokia, located in Illinois, USA, was once a thriving Native American city with impressive earthen mounds. The purpose of these mounds and the organization of the Cahokian society are subjects of study and speculation. The city's decline and abandonment are equally enigmatic.

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Nazca Lines -

The Nazca Lines in Peru consist of massive geoglyphs etched into the desert floor. These ancient drawings, visible only from the air, raise questions about their purpose and the methods used to create them. The cultural significance of these enigmatic figures remains a mystery.

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Lost Atlantis -

Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned by Plato around 360 BC. Plato described it as an advanced civilization that suddenly vanished. Historians and archaeologists have searched for evidence of Atlantis, but its existence remains a topic of debate and speculation. Its disappearance has fueled numerous theories, making it a captivating historical mystery.

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Knossos -

Knossos, located in Crete, Greece, is famous for its association with the ancient Minoan civilization. The palace's labyrinthine layout and the legend of the Minotaur add to its mystique. Knossos invites us to uncover the truth behind its role in ancient myth and history.

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Palenque -

Palenque, situated in Mexico's Chiapas region, boasts intricate carvings and grand architecture that hint at the richness of the Mayan civilization. The city's royal tombs and hieroglyphics continue to reveal the history and mysteries of the Maya.

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Delphi -

Delphi, located in ancient Greece, was once considered the center of the world and a place of prophecy. The Oracle of Delphi's pronouncements influenced important decisions, but the nature of her visions and the source of her wisdom remain intriguing historical mysteries.

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Carthage -

Ancient Carthage, in present-day Tunisia, was a powerful rival to Rome. Its sudden destruction during the Punic Wars adds to its historical mystique. Historians are still captivated by the task of unraveling the full extent of its cultural influence and the reasons behind its fall.

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El Dorado -

El Dorado is the legendary city of gold that captivated explorers for centuries. Although countless expeditions have sought its riches, it remains an elusive dream and a symbol of the relentless pursuit of treasure in the New World.

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Plain of Jars -

The Plain of Jars in Laos is adorned with hundreds of massive stone jars. The original purpose of these megaliths is still debated, with theories ranging from burial practices to ancient rituals. The mystery of their creation endures.

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Axum -

Axum, in Ethiopia, is known for its towering obelisks, some of the world's largest. These monolithic structures are a testament to an ancient kingdom's power and craftsmanship. However, many aspects of Axum's history and culture remain underexplored.

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Chichen Itza -

Chichen Itza in Mexico boasts the grand pyramid, El Castillo, which served as both a temple and a celestial observatory. Its intricate alignment with astronomical events raises questions about the Maya's advanced knowledge of the cosmos.

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Heracleion -

Heracleion, an ancient Egyptian city, lay submerged beneath the Mediterranean until its rediscovery through underwater archaeology. The sunken city's findings have shed light on its once-forgotten history, trade connections, and the mysteries concealed beneath the sea.

Sources: (LiveAbout) (WorldAtlas) (History Defined)

See also: The most sacred landmarks in Africa

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