Top 10 Historical Mysteries That Could Be Solved SOON

Discoveries are providing more insights into Stonehenge's purpose and origins. Geophysical surveys and targeted excavations have uncovered evidence of human activity in the area dating back to the Early Mesolithic period, long before the stones were erected. This suggests Stonehenge was a special place for hunter-gatherer communities thousands of years ago. Additionally, an analysis of the Altar Stone claims it did not originate from south Wales as previously thought, and instead may have come from northern England or Scotland, prompting a re-evaluation of how stones were sourced and transported. Moreover, ongoing research is exploring the astronomical alignments of Stonehenge, reinforcing theories that it served not only as a ceremonial site but also as an astronomical observatory.

In 1945, five of George and Jennie Sodder’s ten children disappeared after a fire destroyed their home in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Despite extensive searches, no remains were found. Theories ranged from kidnapping to foul play, as strange events occurred before and after the fire, including a cut phone line and reports of the children in a passing car. Recent advancements in forensic science include the re-examination of bone fragments previously overlooked. Efforts also focus on analyzing DNA from these fragments to determine if they belong to the missing children. Additionally, investigators are exploring potential sightings and re-evaluating historical records to uncover new leads​.

The unidentified woman who was present at President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 remains a mystery despite numerous investigations. She was seen filming the event and appeared in several key films of the assassination, including those by Abraham Zapruder and Marie Muchmore. Her calm demeanor amidst the chaos has fueled various theories about her identity and intentions. Facial recognition technology and digital enhancement of archival footage are potentially providing avenues for identifying her. Researchers are applying AI-based facial recognition software to the existing images and cross-referencing them with records and databases. This modern approach aims to match her facial features with known individuals from the time.

Deciphering the script of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which thrived around 2500 BCE, remains a major challenge for researchers. Researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze the script's symbols and patterns. AI algorithms are being used to identify character frequencies and similarities, which could help create a key for decipherment. For example, AI models have been trained to compare Indus script symbols with those from known languages like the Brahmi script and the Phoenician alphabet, revealing potential connections​. Another approach involves using cryptographic methods, looking for statistical patterns and applying mathematical theories to decode the script.

The enigmatic Voynich Manuscript, a medieval text filled with mysterious symbols and illustrations, has also long baffled researchers. The incredible growth of artificial intelligence is now offering promising leads: an AI algorithm compared the manuscript's characters to those in 380 different languages, controversially suggesting that the text was most likely written in Hebrew. The initial translations produced by the AI were not immediately coherent, prompting skepticism from medieval scholars, who questioned the utility of currently available technological tools. Nevertheless, the AI-generated translations could provide a potentially valuable starting point for deeper ongoing linguistic and historical analysis, though the manuscript's full decipherment remains tantalizingly incomplete.

Break out the whip, Indy: archaeological efforts have reignited interest in the fate of the Ark of the Covenant. Excavations at Kiryat Ye’arim, a site mentioned in the Bible as a resting place for the Ark, have uncovered purportedly significant artifacts and structures. Archaeologists have used high-tech methods, including aerial surveys and digital elevation models, to identify promising dig locations. These technologies helped uncover a massive Iron Age platform which may have supported a structure housing the Ark​. Additionally, excavations at Shiloh, another significant biblical site, have revealed structures matching the dimensions of the Tabernacle, where the Ark was said to reside​.

What happened to the Neanderthals around 40,000 years ago remains one of anthropology's great mysteries. Recent advances in genetic research and archaeological findings are providing a new window into this ancient puzzle. Genetic analysis of Neanderthal DNA indicates that interbreeding with early modern humans played a significant role. Studies show that up to 2% of some humans’ DNA is derived from Neanderthals, suggesting extensive interaction and interbreeding. Climate change also appears to have been a critical factor. Environmental pressures likely led to competition for resources with homo sapiens, who may have had more adaptable survival strategies. Ongoing research in paleogenomics and archaeology continues to refine our understanding of their extinction.

Recent archaeological work has provided promising clues about the location of Cleopatra's much-sought after tomb. Dr. Kathleen Martinez, who has been searching for it since 2005, has focused her efforts on the Taposiris Magna Temple near Alexandria, Egypt. In 2022, Martinez and her team discovered a 4,300-foot-long tunnel beneath the temple, which they believe may lead to the long-lost tomb. This tunnel, located 43 feet underground, is considered a geometric miracle that is claimed to resemble the ancient Tunnel of Eupalinos in Greece. Further excavations have unearthed significant artifacts, including coins depicting Cleopatra and Mark Antony, as well as statues and other objects from the Ptolemaic era. These findings support the hypothesis that Cleopatra and Antony might be buried in this temple.

There have been more clues uncovered about the fate of the Roanoke Colony, which disappeared in 1590. The First Colony Foundation has uncovered English pottery fragments at two sites in Bertie County, North Carolina. These artifacts suggest that some colonists may have relocated and integrated with local Native American tribes. A hidden map in the British Museum, examined in 2012, revealed the outline of two forts, one located approximately 50 miles west of Roanoke, where the colonists reportedly planned to move. Further evidence seemingly supports the theory that the colonists dispersed into smaller groups, possibly integrating with the Croatoan tribe on Hatteras Island. These findings align with records indicating that the settlers intended to move to the mainland and join friendly Native American communities​.

In 1937, Amelia Earhart vanished while attempting to circumnavigate the globe. In January 2024, a sonar image captured by an independent company's underwater autonomous vehicle was claimed to reveal an object resembling the shape and size of Earhart's Lockheed Electra aircraft. The object was found approximately 100 miles from Howland Island, resting 16,400 feet below the ocean surface​. Although the current images are absolutely not definitive proof, the next phase involves returning to the site to capture more detailed images and potentially identify the aircraft. Investigators have also conducted DNA tests on bones found on the island.

What other potentially solvable mysteries could have made this list? Let us know in the comments!