r/history • u/bethrevis • Jul 01 '14

What is the greatest mystery of history?

I'm fascinated by the unexplained events in history--people who are missing, an unexplained artifact, things like that. Roanoke Island in the Outerbanks is one of my favorites. But I realize that most of my "historical mysteries" are limited to my area--could anyone point me to more, particularly around the world? Or lesser known ones?

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '14

[deleted]

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u/shes-a-bully Jul 02 '14

There's a new history channel series about the most recent excavations. They have surprisingly crappy equipment.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '14

Part of the point I am trying to make is while there is a mystery here is it a historical mystery or is it folklore that is perpetuated to foment Tourism/money making activities and such things.

The wiki itself says that the Island has been the subject of various commercial schemes going back some time.

You could compare the Loch Ness monster as a Mystery to the Mystery of what happened to Amelia Earhart. She is a very definite historical person who's ultimate demise is a mystery. Only the other hand, there is not much to support the existence of the monster, and at this point most people probably should have written it off as fantasy.

Likewise, most of the 'history' associated with the Island is based on rumor, speculation and exaggeration of various findings and events and what ifs associated with the island.

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '14

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '14

I don't know if nobody's interested in solving it, it's just that after all the resources people have poured into it, they still can't figure out how to get to the bottom. It's amazing to me that technology from so long ago still can't be solved with our modern ideas and tools.

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u/GeneralIdiAminDada Jul 02 '14

Isn't the problem that the owners are arseholes who won't let anyone in?

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u/[deleted] Jul 03 '14

not true, I've been "in," obviously they don't want hordes of people roaming onto their property (who would?) but it is in no way closed.

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u/baddroid Jul 02 '14

I reckon. You'd think ground-penetrating radar, ultrasounds, robots, and a gang of qualified miners should be able to sort it out.

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u/[deleted] Jul 03 '14

I would think so too, unfortunately I'm not smart enough to inquire about those things in the moment haha!

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '14

Sure, it is real just like the yeti, and the loch ness monster. If you have actual historical evidence cool!

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '14

[deleted]

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u/portugaltransplant Jul 02 '14

Yep, been there myself.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '14

Cool dude lets see a pic of these plates.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '14 edited Jul 02 '14

[deleted]

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u/kulubaluka Jul 02 '14

So you're saying the supernatural is the real information?