We explored a LOST MAYA CITY in the jungle of Peten | Ruins of Rio Bec
Rio Bec is one of the most remote Maya sites in the jungle of Peten. Located in the Mexican state of Campeche, Rio Bec was only rediscovered in 1912 after nearly a thousand years of oblivion. It contains some of the largest unrestored Maya ruins in Central America, including its iconic palace with two tall towers resembling Classic Maya pyramids. Rio Bec gave its name to a whole architectural style, which finds its greatest expression at Rio Bec and at the nearby site of Xpujil. Around Rio Bec are found dozens of smaller Maya sites, some, like Oxpemul, dating back to the early Classic period - a full thousand years before the flourishing of Rio Bec. Our exploration also took us to El Ramonal, another unexcavated Maya site far off the beaten track, containing an enormous temple platform decorated with cross designs. Visits to Rio Bec can be arranged via local guides in the village of Ejido 20 de Noviembre.
The ancient Romans did lift objects weighing 455 tons for the record. What about heavier stones such as the Trilithon stones at Baalbek, Lebanon that weighed in at 800 tons each? If Romans could transport 455 tons of stone for thousands of miles and lift them, then it's possible that the ancient Romans lifted the Trilithon stones. Other people disagree stating that the ancient Romans did not have the equipment, tools and technology to lift the Trilithon stones. Here's some examples that I posted below of Romans lifting heavy stones that weighs hundreds of tons, and this may convince you that the ancient Romans lifted the Trilithon stones. The examples were not built by Romans originally. Romans took them and transported them to their country and lifted them up.
However, Romans have actually built their own and lifted them up before. The well-known Pompey Pillar weighed in at 285 tons and was built by Roman Emperor Diocletian in 302 AD.
Are you convince that Romans were able to lift the Trilithon stones? Possibly several ancient people were able to lift those heavy stones such as the original people in Lebanon or some other group.
Maybe a previous unknown group cut the Trilithon stones, but later on maybe it was the ancient Romans who transported them to the podium of Jupiter Baal and lifted them.
Romans had different lifting techniques and technology for any type of heavy stones that they built originally.
How did the Romans lift heavy objects?
100 tons
For larger weights of up to 100 t, Roman engineers set up a wooden lifting tower, a rectangular trestle which was so constructed that the column could be lifted upright in the middle of the structure by the means of human and animal-powered capstans placed on the ground around the tower.
The famous Roman Trajan's Column marble drums weighed in an upwards of 80 tons and was built in 113 AD.
Roman Gold Mines of Las Médulas - UNESCO World Heritage Site
A tour of the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Roman Gold Mines of Las Médulas in north-western Spain. Fascinating to see the history of the site, and how pre-industrial techniques completely changed the landscape!
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Las Médulas (UNESCO/NHK)
In the 1st century A.D. the Roman Imperial authorities began to exploit the gold deposits of this region in north-west Spain, using a technique based on hydraulic power. After two centuries of working the deposits, the Romans withdrew, leaving a devastated landscape. Since there was no subsequent industrial activity, the dramatic traces of this remarkable ancient technology are visible everywhere as sheer faces in the mountainsides and the ...
Discover the incredible story of gold mining—from a single, mind-boggling cube to the shocking truth about global reserves that could fit in just three Olympic pools.
ByERAN TALDECEMBER 10, 2024 22:28How Much Gold Has Been Mined in Human History?(photo credit: PR)
In the vast landscape of precious metals, gold remains a cornerstone of human economic and cultural significance. But just how much of this glittering resource has humanity extracted from the Earth?
The Total Volume of Mined Gold
As of February 2024, the most reliable estimates suggest that approximately 212,582 tonnes of gold have been mined throughout human history. Remarkably, about two-thirds of this total has been extracted since 1950, highlighting the exponential growth of mining capabilities in the modern era.
A Remarkable Perspective on Gold Quantity
To truly comprehend the scale of global gold mining, consider these fascinating visualizations:
If all mined gold were consolidated into a single cube, it would measure just 22 meters on each side.
The entire gold production would fill slightly more than three Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Spread across a football pitch, the gold would create a layer just one meter deep.
All the gold ever mined (credit: Rated Red)
Mining Production and Trends
The World Gold Council reports that gold producers currently uncover between 2,500 and 3,000 tonnes of gold annually. The Witwatersrand Basin in South Africa contributes approximately 170 tonnes to this global output.
Historical Mining Milestones
The United States Geological Survey provides striking insights into gold mining trends:
80% of all gold ever brought above ground was mined since 1910
Approximately 50% of global gold production occurred after 1967
Future Outlook and Challenges
The gold mining industry is facing significant challenges. Exploration has struggled to discover new large deposits, leading some industry experts to question the future of gold mining. Ian Telfer, chairman of Goldcorp, provocatively stated in 2018 that we might have already discovered all accessible gold reserves.
Reserves and Potential
Current estimates suggest:
212,582 tonnes of gold already mined
Approximately 54,000 tonnes of gold reserves potentially remaining underground
A projected total of 244,040 tonnes of gold available using current mining technology
The Sustainable Mining Approach
With traditional deposits becoming increasingly scarce, mining companies are focusing on technological innovations to improve production efficiency from existing sites. This approach aims to maximize extraction while minimizing environmental impact.
Future Possibilities: Space Mining
The finite nature of terrestrial gold reserves has sparked interest in space mining. The concept of extracting precious metals from asteroids presents an exciting, albeit currently impractical, potential solution to dwindling resources.
Conclusion
Gold remains a finite and fascinating resource. While the total quantity might seem substantial, the rate of discovery and extraction suggests we are approaching a critical point in global gold production. The industry's future will likely depend on technological innovation, exploration techniques, and potentially, extraterrestrial mining ventures.
Planetary geoarchaeology - various human sites of activity on Mars
click image to enlarge map
Basemap generated from data derived from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and the High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) showing various human sites of activity on Mars. Image credits: Holcomb et al (2024) / Nature.
Santa Maria Wreck Mystery REVEALED After 500 Years
Dec 27, 2024
The Santa María was Columbus's flagship during his first voyage to the Americas. It was the largest of the three ships in his fleet and served as the command ship for the expedition. The Santa María was a larger, heavier cargo ship compared to the smaller Pinta and Niña. The Santa María carried a crew of about 40 men, including sailors, officers, and specialized workers like carpenters and navigators. The hull was made of oak and pine, and featured a single deck with a raised forecastle and sterncastle, where the captain’s cabin and command areas were located. The Santa María was equipped for exploration, navigation, and self-defense, and was designed for open-sea navigation and cargo transport, making it suitable for long voyages. The dimensions were as follows: Length: 70 feet, Width: 20 feet, depth below waterline: 6 feet, with a Displacement of Roughly 100 tons. The Santa María was sturdy and reliable, capable of carrying large amounts of cargo, and served well as a command ship due to its size and stability. But the ship’s size, her cumbersome frame unsuited to the shallow waters, would soon prove her undoing.
