Some of the most famous stone structures today were later revealed to be just a smaller part of another mysterious architecture that required another exploration and studies.
Having been buried under soil or debris over thousands of years, some became tiny fragments, taking experts a bit long to piece them together. Cassar (2014) also highlighted that not all possible archaeological sites were excavated at once. With ancient structures often done in layers, and the natural disasters that broke them apart, this leads to slow progress of building said mysterious architecture.
How Famous Stone Structures Were Found to be Part of Mysterious Architectures
While modern archaeologists have advanced tools at their disposal, several famous stone structures used to be a mere huge blank stone. In fact, Live Science reported that thousands of them are lying around excavation sites with a question mark on what they are and what they are part of.
In a report by Arkeonews, archeologists were able to find how some of today's famous stone structures were part of another mysterious architecture mostly by more excavations. The more they can find, the easier to piece smaller parts together.
A lot of mysterious architectures that have now been solved also included patterns in the arrangement, alignment, or construction techniques of similar smaller stone structures. Although rare, some famous stone structures also came with inscriptions.
Also Read: Top 5 Ancient Man-Made Structures That Reveal Lost Civilizations
Top 5 Famous Stone Structures That Turned Out to Be Part of Mysterious Architecture
Buried and lost for centuries, experts realized that these 5 famous stone structures were not standalone monuments but part of a much larger and mysterious architecture.
(Photo : Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
1. Great Sphinx of Egypt
The Great Sphinx of Giza, one of Egypt's most iconic monuments, was built around 2,500 B.C.E. and is believed to represent Pharaoh Khafre. Measuring 240 feet long, this monumental sculpture, with its lion's body and human head, was originally erected as a guardian figure for the Giza Pyramid complex, National Geographic shared.
Over the years, archaeologists have uncovered hidden chambers and passages beneath the Sphinx, further suggesting that it was part of a larger yet mysterious architectural plan connected to the pyramids. From this, it was later revealed that Sphinx was strategically placed to complement the religious and ceremonial functions of the entire Giza site.
(Photo : OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)
2. Gobekli Tepe in Turkey
Initially discovered as isolated stone pillars, UNESCO World Heritage shared that these famous stone structures was later revealed to be a major yet mysterious architecture component of a much larger ceremonial complex.
Excavations uncovered multiple layers of these stone circles, suggesting that Göbekli Tepe was not a single construction but a series of sequentially built enclosures. Researchers also found well-written carvings and animal motifs and that it was designed to function as a massive, interconnected ritual center rather than an isolated temple in prehistoric Anatolia.
(Photo : JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD / Wikimedia Commons)
3. Puma Punku
A special Puma Punku article made by Design Times learned that these famous stone structures is officially considered as part of the larger archaeological site known as Tiwanaku, located in the highlands of Bolivia.
Puma Punku, which translates to "Door of the Puma" in the Aymara language, is distinguishable through its well-cut stone blocks and geometric designs. What's more ist that these famous stone structures fit together well.
Now, Design Times further explained that Tiwanaku was a major cultural and religious center that influenced other civilizations in the Andes region and perhaps one of the oldest civilization in the world as well.
(Photo : Screenshot from the University of Sydney)
4. Circular Stones in Saudi Arabia
Recently, Arkeonews learned that archeologists discovered 345 circular stone structures in Harrat 'Uwayrid lava field in Saudi Arabia. Turns out, they were part of a larger, more complex network of ancient dwellings. These ancient circular structures, dating back approximately 7,000 years, feature remnants of stone walls and doorways, suggesting they were not standalone features but part of a settlement.
To explain, Artnet News said that the stone circles, with diameters ranging from four to eight meters, were likely used as foundations for wooden columns supporting roofs made from animal skins or other materials. The presence of tools, animal remains, and domestic artifacts within these circles provides evidence that they functioned as living spaces for various activities, including cooking and tool-making.
(Photo : Image from Nick Brooks and Joanne Clarke)
5. Hundreds of Unknown Stone Structures in Western Sahara
In 2019, Live Science reported that archeologists discovered hundreds of stone structures in the Western Sahara. They were found in crescents, circles, straight lines, and platforms, some of which stretch for hundreds of meters across the landscape. With little excavation completed due to the region's instability, the exact purpose and age of many of these structures remain uncertain.
However, it is believed that some of them may have been used as burial sites, with a few tumuli (rock heaps) containing human remains dating back approximately 1,500 years.
Environmental research shared by BBC suggests that the Western Sahara was once a much wetter region, capable of supporting more animal life. Rock art found in the area depicts animals like cattle, giraffe, and sheep, different from the arid desert seen today.
Until now, researchers continue to piece together the environmental history of the region to better understand the context in which these stone structures were made.
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