The study of history is constantly evolving, and discoveries of ancient artifacts and sites continue to challenge our understanding of the past. Here are 10 incredible ancient world discoveries that have us rethinking history:

1. Göbekli Tepe: Discovered in Turkey in the 1960s, Göbekli Tepe is a prehistoric site believed to be over 11,000 years old. The site consists of circular structures containing massive stone pillars carved with intricate reliefs and animal sculptures, challenging the idea that agriculture led to the development of civilization.
2. The Antikythera Mechanism: Found in an ancient shipwreck off the coast of Greece, the Antikythera Mechanism is a complex device with gears and dials that was used to track astronomical events. Dating back to the 2nd century BCE, it is considered the world’s oldest known analog computer.
3. The Pyramids of Caral: Located in Peru, the Pyramids of Caral are over 5,000 years old and represent one of the oldest urban settlements in the Americas. The site challenges the idea that civilization first emerged in the Middle East and spread to the Americas much later.
4. The Tomb of the Sunken Skulls: Discovered in Mexico in 2017, the Tomb of the Sunken Skulls contains the remains of 30 individuals who were sacrificed around 1,000 years ago. The site provides insight into the practices of the ancient Mixtec civilization and their beliefs about the afterlife.
5. The Sumerian King List: The Sumerian King List is a clay tablet from ancient Mesopotamia that lists the rulers of the Sumerian civilization, including some who reigned for tens of thousands of years. While the accuracy of the list is debated, it challenges our understanding of ancient timelines.
6. The City of Petra: Carved into the rock in modern-day Jordan, the ancient city of Petra was a thriving center of trade and commerce in the 1st century BCE. The site challenges our ideas about the capabilities of ancient engineers and architects.
7. The Terracotta Army: Discovered in China in 1974, the Terracotta Army is a collection of over 8,000 life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots that were buried with the first emperor of China to protect him in the afterlife. The site challenges our understanding of ancient military technology and the importance of funerary practices.
8. The Library of Ashurbanipal: Discovered in modern-day Iraq in the 19th century, the Library of Ashurbanipal contains over 30,000 clay tablets with inscriptions in ancient languages, including the epic of Gilgamesh. The site challenges our understanding of ancient literature and the spread of knowledge in the ancient world.
9. The Nazca Lines: Located in Peru, the Nazca Lines are a series of massive geoglyphs carved into the desert floor over 2,000 years ago. The lines challenge our understanding of the capabilities of ancient surveying and engineering techniques.
10. The Olmec Colossal Heads: Found in Mexico, the Olmec Colossal Heads are 17 massive stone sculptures weighing up to 50 tons each. They challenge our understanding of ancient art and the technological capabilities of the Olmec civilization.

These discoveries remind us that our understanding of history is constantly evolving, and there is always more to learn about the ancient world.