17 Ancient Structures With Purposes We Still Don’t Understand
These ancient structures still puzzle experts, with their original functions unknown or debated even today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Across the world, ancient builders left behind mysterious monuments. Some were massive and impressive, others were hidden and strange. Despite research and excavation, we still don’t fully know what these places were meant to do.
1. Stonehenge, England
Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
Stonehenge is a circle of large stones in southern England, built over 4,000 years ago. It lines up with the sun during the solstices, but its exact purpose is unclear. Some believe it was for ceremonies, others say it was an ancient calendar. Many of the tools and methods used to build it are also still unknown.
2. The Great Pyramids, Egypt
David Roberts on Wikimedia Commons
The pyramids were royal tombs, but how they were built with such precision remains a topic of debate. The exact planning, labor force size, and lifting methods used remain uncertain. Some parts of the internal layout are still being explored today. Despite centuries of study, mysteries remain inside these monuments.
3. Newgrange, Ireland
Andrew Kearns on Wikimedia Commons
Newgrange is an ancient passage tomb older than the pyramids. On the winter solstice, sunlight enters the main passage and lights the interior. Its use may have been religious, but no one is sure exactly who was buried there or why. The alignment suggests a deep knowledge of astronomy.
4. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
Teomancimit on Wikimedia Commons
This site is over 11,000 years old, possibly the oldest known temple. The large carved stones were arranged long before cities or agriculture became common. No homes or daily living tools have been found nearby. Its creators and purpose are still mostly unknown.
5. The Sphinx, Egypt
Petar Milošević on Wikimedia Commons
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a giant statue with a lion’s body and a human’s head. The exact age and who it was meant to represent are still debated. Its face is heavily eroded, and no inscriptions confirm its builder. It stands next to the pyramids, but its role remains unclear.
6. Nan Madol, Micronesia
Patrick Nunn on Wikimedia Commons
Nan Madol is a city built on artificial islets off the island of Pohnpei. The basalt blocks used in its construction are massive, and how they were moved is still a mystery. No written records explain its full function, though it likely served as a political or religious center. Its remote location adds to the questions.
7. Carnac Stones, France
JLPC on Wikimedia Commons
Thousands of standing stones are arranged across fields in Brittany. They date back to around 4500 BCE, but no one knows who built them or why. Some are in straight lines, others in circles. The purpose may have been religious or astronomical, but no written history exists to confirm it.
8. Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan
Saqib Qayyum on Wikimedia Commons
This ancient city was part of the Indus Valley Civilization and had advanced plumbing and street planning, yet its layout lacks temples or royal buildings. No known script has been fully translated, so its cultural or religious life is still unclear. The reasons for its decline are also a mystery.
9. Sacsayhuamán, Peru
Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
These huge stone walls near Cusco are built with blocks that fit perfectly together without mortar. The technique used is still not fully understood. Some stones weigh over 100 tons. Its purpose may have been military or ceremonial, but its original name and role are lost.
10. Yonaguni Monument, Japan
Vincent Lou on Wikimedia Commons
Off the coast of Yonaguni Island lies an underwater structure that looks like a stepped pyramid. Some believe it’s natural, while others think it was man-made. If it were built, it would date back over 10,000 years. No tools or artifacts have been found to confirm either theory.
11. Easter Island Moai, Chile
Rivi on Wikimedia Commons
The island is covered with large stone heads, many with full bodies buried underground. How they were moved and raised is still being studied. The meaning behind them and why they were placed where they are is not fully understood. Some face inland, others face the ocean, adding to the mystery.
12. The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni, Malta
Ethan Doyle White on Wikimedia Commons
This underground temple dates back over 5,000 years and includes burial chambers and carved halls. Its builders left no written records. Some chambers have strange acoustic properties that affect sound in unique ways. The exact rituals performed inside are unknown.
13. Pumapunku, Bolivia
Benjamin Burga on Wikimedia Commons
This ancient stone complex was built with precise cuts and tight joints. Some stones are shaped in complex patterns that look almost modern. No metal tools have been found nearby, and its origin and purpose remain uncertain.
14. The Longyou Caves, China
Zhangzhugang on Wikimedia Commons
Dozens of caves were carved out of solid rock in Zhejiang Province. They are perfectly smooth inside with complex patterns. No records or tools explain how they were made. Their size and detail suggest a large and organized effort, but their function is still unknown.
15. Cahokia Mounds, USA
Thank You on Wikimedia Commons
This site near modern-day St. Louis was once home to thousands of people. It includes large mounds, some aligned with solar events. No one knows the exact purpose of many of the structures. Written records were not kept, so their meaning remains speculative.
16. Petra, Jordan
Berthold Werner on Wikimedia Commons
Petra is a city carved into red rock cliffs, with facades, tombs, and temples. Its builders, the Nabataeans, left few written texts. Some buildings may have had religious use, but not all have been fully studied. Its water system was advanced, yet how it was maintained in the desert is still being researched.
17. Skara Brae, Scotland
Malcolm Morris on Wikimedia Commons
This Neolithic village is well-preserved, with homes and furniture made from stone. It was buried in sand for centuries and was found in the 19th century. The reason for its sudden abandonment is unknown. Its people left no written history, only clues in the layout of their homes.