13 Famous Mysteries That Remain Unsolved

From vanished explorers to cryptic codes, history is filled with unsolved mysteries that continue to intrigue the world.

  • Alyana Aguja
  • 4 min read
13 Famous Mysteries That Remain Unsolved
Joanna Kosinska from Unsplash

These 13 mysteries show how much of human history remains unexplained, from disappearances like Amelia Earhart and the Roanoke Colony to chilling murders like Jack the Ripper and the Black Dahlia. Even scientific phenomena, such as the Wow! Signal or the Taos Hum, remind us that not everything has a clear answer. Together, these mysteries reflect humanity’s endless curiosity and the allure of the unknown.

1. 1. The Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1937, famed aviator Amelia Earhart vanished while attempting to fly around the world. Her plane lost radio contact near Howland Island, sparking one of the largest search efforts in history. Despite decades of theories and searches, no conclusive evidence of her fate has been found.

2. 2. The Zodiac Killer

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Zodiac Killer terrorized California with a series of murders and cryptic letters sent to newspapers. Some of his ciphers remain unsolved, leaving behind taunts that still baffle codebreakers. To this day, his true identity has never been confirmed.

3. 3. The Dyatlov Pass Incident

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1959, nine experienced hikers died mysteriously in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Their tent was found torn open from the inside, and their bodies showed bizarre injuries, such as radiation traces and unexplained trauma. Theories range from avalanches to secret military tests, but no explanation fully fits.

4. 4. The Mary Celeste

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1872, the merchant ship Mary Celeste was discovered adrift in the Atlantic with no crew on board. The vessel was seaworthy, supplies were intact, and valuables were untouched. The crew vanished without a trace, and their fate has never been explained.

5. 5. The Voynich Manuscript

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

The Voynich Manuscript is a 15th-century book filled with strange symbols, plants that do not exist, and text written in an unknown language. Countless cryptographers and linguists have tried to decode it but failed. Its purpose, origin, and meaning remain shrouded in mystery.

6. 6. Jack the Ripper

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1888, London’s Whitechapel district was terrorized by Jack the Ripper, a serial killer who murdered at least five women. He taunted the police with letters but was never caught. Despite endless theories, his true identity remains one of history’s greatest mysteries.

7. 7. The Bermuda Triangle

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

The Bermuda Triangle, located between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, has been linked to the mysterious disappearance of ships and aircraft. Reports of strange compass readings and sudden storms fueled its reputation. While some explanations suggest natural causes, no single theory explains all the incidents.

8. 8. Stonehenge

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument in England, consists of massive stones arranged in a circular pattern. Built thousands of years ago without advanced tools, its purpose is still debated. Whether it was used for astronomy, rituals, or burials, the truth remains uncertain.

9. 9. The Taos Hum

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

Residents of Taos, New Mexico, have reported hearing a persistent low-frequency hum since the 1990s. Scientific investigations have failed to pinpoint its source, with some suggesting industrial noise while others blame psychological factors. The mystery continues to puzzle both scientists and locals.

10. 10. The Lost Colony of Roanoke

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1587, more than 100 settlers established the Roanoke Colony in present-day North Carolina. When supply ships returned three years later, the colony had vanished, leaving only the word “Croatoan” carved into a post. The fate of the colonists remains unknown.

11. 11. The Wow! Signal

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1977, astronomer Jerry Ehman detected a powerful radio signal from deep space while working on the SETI project. The signal lasted 72 seconds and resembled what scientists imagined an extraterrestrial transmission might look like. Despite repeated attempts, it has never been detected again.

12. 12. The Black Dahlia Murder

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1947, Elizabeth Short, nicknamed the “Black Dahlia,” was found brutally murdered in Los Angeles. Her body had been mutilated, and the crime scene was disturbingly staged. Despite massive publicity and countless suspects, her killer was never identified.

13. 13. The Somerton Man

Image from Wikipedia

Image from Wikipedia

In 1948, an unidentified man was found dead on Somerton Beach in Australia, with no signs of struggle and a cryptic note reading “Tamam Shud” in his pocket. His identity and cause of death remain unknown. The case continues to be one of the most baffling mysteries in forensic history.

Written by: Alyana Aguja

Alyana is a Creative Writing graduate with a lifelong passion for storytelling, sparked by her father’s love of books. She’s been writing seriously for five years, fueled by encouragement from teachers and peers. Alyana finds inspiration in all forms of art, from films by directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Quentin Tarantino to her favorite TV shows like Mad Men and Modern Family. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her immersed in books, music, or painting, always chasing her next creative spark.

Recommended for You

12 Ancient Inventions That Still Can’t Be Explained

12 Ancient Inventions That Still Can’t Be Explained

These ancient inventions continue to puzzle historians and scientists because no one knows exactly how they were made or why.

16 Public Figures Who Disappeared Without a Trace

16 Public Figures Who Disappeared Without a Trace

These public figures vanished without explanation, leaving behind unanswered questions and lasting intrigue.