10 Ancient Human Rituals We Still Don’t Understand

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have engaged in rituals that have shaped our cultures and societies. These ancient practices, some dating back thousands of years, have left us with more questions than answers. Despite our technological advancements and scientific progress, many of these rituals remain shrouded in mystery, defying modern explanations and captivating the imagination of archaeologists, historians, and curious minds alike.

In this blog post, I’ll explore ten ancient human rituals that continue to puzzle experts today.

The Nazca Lines

Image Credit: “Nazca Lines” by kanjiroushi is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

The Nazca Lines are giant drawings in the Peruvian desert. People made them over 2,000 years ago. They show animals, plants, and shapes that can only be seen from high up. No one knows why ancient people made these huge pictures. Some think they were for gods, while others believe they were used for astronomy.

Stonehenge

Image Credit: “Stonehenge Rocks!” by laszlo-photo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Stonehenge is a big circle of giant stones in England. It was built about 5,000 years ago. People don’t know why it was made or how the heavy stones were moved. Some think it was used to watch the stars or for healing. Others believe it was a place for important ceremonies. The true purpose of Stonehenge remains a mystery.

Easter Island Statues

Image Credit: “Easter Island Statues” by TheTerraMarProject is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Easter Island has hundreds of huge stone heads called moai. The Rapa Nui people carved them long ago. No one knows why they made so many or how they moved these heavy statues. Some think the statues honored ancestors or gods. Others believe they showed the power of different groups on the island. The reason for making these giant heads is still unclear.

The Mayan Ball Game

Image Credit: “Mexico Xcaret – Mayan Ball Game” by Celso Flores is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The Maya played a strange ball game over 3,000 years ago. Players hit a rubber ball through stone hoops using only their hips. The game was very important in their culture. Sometimes, the losers were killed as part of the ritual. Experts aren’t sure why the game was so important or why it often ended in death. The true meaning of this deadly sport remains unknown.

Ancient Egyptian Animal Mummies

Image Credit: “Ancient Egypt Animal Mummies” by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. is marked with CC0 1.0.

Ancient Egyptians mummified millions of animals, including cats, dogs, and birds. They treated these animals like human mummies. People think they did this to please their gods or as offerings. Some animals might have been pets. But the huge number of animal mummies is still puzzling. The exact reason for this practice is not fully understood.

Göbekli Tepe

Image Credit: “Göbekli Tepe, Urfa” by Teomancimit is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/?ref=openverse.

Göbekli Tepe is an old site in Turkey with big stone pillars. It’s over 11,000 years old, older than farming or writing. The pillars have carvings of animals and symbols. No one knows why people built it or what they used it for. Some think it was a temple or a meeting place. The purpose of this ancient wonder remains a mystery.

The Sacrificial Practices of the Moche

Image Credit: “(A) puja in progress before Yagam Yajna” by Tallapragada is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The Moche people of ancient Peru had strange sacrificial rituals. They would capture enemy warriors and sacrifice them in elaborate ceremonies. The victims’ blood was often drunk by priests or offered to the gods. Archaeologists aren’t sure why these sacrifices were so important to the Moche. The reasons behind these brutal practices are still debated.

Roman Curse Tablets

Image Credit: “
Unknown: ‘Roman Curse Tablet’
” by The Portable Antiquities Scheme, Frank Basford, 2014-12-04 10:16:08 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Ancient Romans wrote curses on small lead tablets. They would bury these tablets or throw them into water. People used them to ask gods for help or to harm their enemies. Some curses were about love, while others were about legal matters. The exact rituals around making and using these tablets are not fully known. The practice of curse tablets remains partly mysterious.

Bog Bodies

Image Credit: “Bog Body” by markhealey is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Bog bodies are old human remains found in peat bogs in Northern Europe. Many of these bodies show signs of violent deaths. Some experts think they were sacrificed as part of religious rituals. Others believe they are criminals or outcasts. The reason why these people ended up in bogs is still not clear. The mystery of the bog bodies continues to puzzle archaeologists.

The Sky Burial

Image Credit: “Sky Burial” by Travis S. is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Some Tibetan Buddhists practice sky burial. In this ritual, a dead body is left on a mountaintop for vultures to eat. They believe this helps the soul move on to its next life. While we know the basic idea, many details of the ritual are not well understood. The deeper spiritual meanings and origins of this practice remain partly unknown to outsiders.

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Victoria Omololu

Victoria Omololu is a fashionista exploring the world on a budget. She co-founded Only Earthlings in 2023 to show her travels in North America, Europe, Africa, and everywhere else. Victoria loves writing about travel tips, itineraries, packing guides, and taking photography from all over the world.

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