TopEx Mystery Research

We like to think of technological innovation as a gradual, steady, and fairly linear process. However, this is not true. Archaeological excavations throughout the world have revealed some mysterious ancient technologies that make modern people drop their jaw. Here are 13 of the most mysterious ancient technological discoveries ever discovered. 1. Greek Fire Greek Fire When the Muslim fleet of the Umayyad Caliphate tried to besiege Byzantine Constantinople in 674, their ships caught fire. At first they were not worried. However, this was no ordinary fire. Once set on fire, it could not be extinguished, and when the whole fleet caught fire, even the sea itself caught fire. The Umayyad Caliphate perished due to that fire. No recipe has survived, but historians speculate that it may have included oil, sulfur or gunpowder. What makes Greek fire so impressive, however, is not the chemistry of the fire itself, but the structure of the pressure pump that the Byzantines used to launch it at...

Witches have long captured the public imagination, whether accused of consorting with the devil or simply threatening mainstream society. Today, many are seen as feminist icons while others are associated with death and destruction. Sometimes terrifying and sometimes inspiring, here are ten of the most famous witches throughout history: 1. La Voisin Catherine Monvoisin (La Voisin) (1640-1680) Catherine Monvoisin, also known as La Voisin, lived in France in the mid-17th century. She practiced medicine, including midwifery and abortions, mixed potions and poisons, told fortunes, and held black masses where clients could bargain with the devil. She was also one of the leaders of the Affaire des Posons cult, which poisoned many members of the French aristocracy and planned to poison King Louis XIV. Her most famous client was the king's mistress, Madame de Montespan. On Montespan's orders, La Voisin tried to poison the king for his infidelity. In the late 1670s, fear of poisonin...