1. **Petra, Jordan (2016)**
– In the famous World Heritage site of Petra, a huge structure hidden deep in the sand has been discovered using satellite and drone imaging technology. The structure, which includes a rectangular platform and steps leading up to it, is believed to have been a site for important rituals during the ancient Nabatean period. The discovery sheds new light on the size and function of the city of Petra, and expands our understanding of how the Nabateans lived and organized their society.
### 2. **The Lonely Man of the Amazon (2011)**
– A drone captured images of the last remaining man from an extinct tribe living alone in the Brazilian Amazon. Heavily protected by the Brazilian government, the man survived an attack on his tribe in 1995 and has since chosen to live in complete isolation. People tried to bring him food without direct contact. By 2022, he had passed away, marking the extinction of this tribe.
3. **Secret Room Behind Mount Rushmore**
– Behind the statue of President Lincoln on Mount Rushmore, a secret room was planned to be built to store important documents and artifacts of American history. Drones explored this room but discovered that it was never completed because the US government decided not to complete the project. The room is now mostly an empty structure, but still intrigues those who know the story of its original purpose.
4. **Nyangani Mountain, Zimbabwe**
– Nyangani Mountain is considered the most mystical place in Zimbabwe, with stories of ancestral spirits protecting the mountain and mysterious disappearances. Drones recorded many beautiful areas of dense vegetation and waterfalls, but also very dangerous due to harsh weather and rugged terrain. Locals advise visitors not to go alone and not to take photos indiscriminately, as many believe that trespassing can displease the spirits.
5. **Coffins on the cliff in Guizhou, China**
– A drone discovered a valley full of coffins placed in caves on the cliff, an ancient ritual of the Tibetan ethnic minority. The coffins are hung high up to avoid flooding and protect the remains from wild animals. The discovery not only sheds light on an ancient custom, but also shows the ingenuity and adaptability of humans to the natural terrain.
### 6. **Airplane cemetery in the Arizona desert**
– In the arid desert of Arizona, drones captured footage of a giant “graveyard” containing thousands of abandoned military aircraft at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Aircraft from many generations, from the Cold War to recent times, rest here. The base is also one of the oldest aircraft storage facilities in the world, as the dry climate helps prevent corrosion and deterioration.
7. **Tornado aftermath in Indonesia (2018)**
– After a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, drones captured images of the city of Palu, devastated by the tsunami. Areas of houses were destroyed, people were homeless and in need of food. Drones help document the extent of the damage, allowing governments and aid agencies to plan emergency responses and support timely relief efforts.
8. **Tornado in Oklahoma**
– A storm chaser used a drone to track and record images of a tornado in Oklahoma. The drone flew close to the center of the vortex, capturing close-up images of the swirling storm, providing a panoramic view that was previously inaccessible to humans. These data help meteorologists study the factors that form tornadoes and give people earlier warnings.
### 9. **Active Crater**
– Drones equipped to withstand high temperatures have taken pictures inside erupting volcanoes in Hawaii and Iceland. These images capture the vibrant lava, emitting a red glow in the dark. Thanks to drones, scientists collect data directly from the volcano’s core, helping them better understand the eruption process and predict future eruptions.
### 10. **457m-tall transmission tower**
– Drones recorded maintenance workers climbing the 457m-tall transmission tower, an incredible sight to see them hanging high above with simple protective equipment. Maintaining these towers is dangerous work, and the drone footage shows the effort and courage of the workers.
### 11. **Crystal Cave in Chihuahua, Mexico**
– The Crystal Cave in Mexico is one of the largest crystal caves in the world, where giant crystals grow in extreme conditions. Drones filmed inside the cave, where temperatures can reach 65.6°C and humidity is nearly 100%. These conditions make exploration dangerous, allowing researchers only to enter for short periods of time.
12. **Melting ice in Norway**
– In Norway, melting ice blocks have revealed valuable Viking-era artifacts. Drones
13. **Mishan Grottoes, China**:
Discovered in 1952, the Mishan Grottoes are a series of 194 caves carved into the side of Mishan Mountain in China’s Gansu Province. This “city in the sky” houses over 7,200 Buddhist clay sculptures, dating back to the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534 AD). The sculptures reflect an evolution in art, with figures embodying serene expressions and hints of realism uncommon in early Buddhist iconography. Artisans here departed from traditional styles, infusing figures with lifelike qualities, capturing humanity’s deeper emotions and a yearning for transcendence.
14. **Derinkuyu Underground City, Turkey**:
In the 1960s, a man renovating his house in Turkey stumbled upon the entrance to the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu, dating back to the 2nd or 3rd century. This multi-level city, able to shelter up to 20,000 people, was a sanctuary for early Christians fleeing persecution. It contains living spaces, storage rooms, wine and oil presses, stables, and even chapels. Ingenious systems of ventilation shafts and water wells enabled prolonged underground habitation, showcasing the early residents’ resourcefulness.
15. **Otzi the Iceman, Italy**:
In 1991, hikers found a well-preserved mummy in the Tyrolean Alps, later identified as Otzi the Iceman, a 5,000-year-old natural mummy from the Copper Age. His body, tools, and belongings—like a copper-bladed axe and a quiver of arrows—were preserved in ice. Researchers discovered an arrowhead embedded in his shoulder, suggesting he may have been murdered. This finding led to theories about intertribal conflicts or personal vendettas, making Otzi possibly the oldest known victim of a violent death.
16. **Llullaillaco Children, Argentina/Chile**:
In 1999, researchers near the summit of Llullaillaco, a high-altitude volcano in the Andes, discovered the mummified remains of three Inca children. These children, selected for their physical perfection, were likely sacrificed as part of Inca rituals and buried on the mountain after undergoing months of preparation. The extreme cold and arid conditions preserved the mummies in remarkable detail, including their clothing and facial expressions, providing a rare insight into Inca sacrificial rites.
17. **Cave of Horror, Israel**:
Hidden in Israel’s Judean Desert, the Cave of Horror earned its name from the remains of Jewish rebels found there, who had taken refuge during a failed revolt against the Romans in the 2nd century AD. The cave, accessible only by abseiling, contained artifacts such as Greek scrolls of biblical texts, rare coins, and a 6,000-year-old child’s mummified remains, wrapped carefully in a blanket. This find paints a vivid picture of resistance and survival under extreme conditions.
18. **White Mountain Petroglyphs, Wyoming**:
Near Yellowstone in Wyoming’s Red Desert, the White Mountain Petroglyphs feature carvings on sandstone cliffs made between 1,000 and 200 years ago. Depictions include bison, elk, and human figures, attributed to the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Ute tribes. The carvings capture scenes of daily life, hunts, and possibly sacred rituals, revealing the beliefs and lifestyles of the region’s early Indigenous peoples. Some of the petroglyphs even depict warriors wielding weapons, hinting at conflicts and stories passed down through generations.
Each of these sites offers a fascinating look into ancient civilizations, their spiritual beliefs, survival strategies, and artistic achievements, illustrating humanity’s quest for meaning and preservation across time and geography.
