Unsolved Mysteries & Ancient Tech: A Journey Into the Unknown
In an era dominated by technology and advancements, some unsolved mysteries continue to intrigue scientists, historians, and conspiracy theorists alike. The mysteries explored in Joe Rogan’s podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), dive deep into things that science cannot explain—ancient gadgets, lost cities, and strange manuscripts that continue to baffle experts. With over 2,000 episodes by March 2025, Rogan and his guests, which include historians, scientists, and conspiracy buffs, embark on a journey to uncover secrets that history seems to be hiding. Let’s take a look at some of the most captivating and baffling topics explored in his podcast.
1. The Antikythera Mechanism: An Ancient Computer In 1901, divers off the coast of a Greek island stumbled upon a rusty lump from a shipwreck. Fast forward a century, and this mysterious object was identified as the Antikythera Mechanism, the world’s first computer, dating back to between 150 and 100 BCE. This device, made of bronze, contains over 30 gears and dials, making it incredibly sophisticated for its time. Its purpose? To track planets, stars, and other celestial bodies—almost like a Bronze Age NASA project. In JRE Episode 1284 (May 16th, 2019), Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson discussed this mind-boggling device. Both experts agree that such technology must have been part of a larger, advanced system of knowledge, possibly from a lost civilization, as no clear historical context for this device exists. Researchers have used X-ray technology to study the mechanism, but its exact origins remain a mystery.
2. The Voynich Manuscript: An Encrypted Puzzle The Voynich Manuscript, discovered in 1912 by Wilfrid Voynich, is a 15th-century book that no one has been able to decode. Full of bizarre illustrations—like imaginary plants, naked women, and strange star charts—this manuscript remains one of the most baffling enigmas in history. In JRE Episode 2252 (January 7th, 2025), Wesley Huff, a biblical scholar, discussed the manuscript with Joe Rogan. Despite decades of attempts by linguists, cryptographers, and even modern AI, the book’s language and purpose remain unclear. Huff suggests it could be a cipher lost to time, while Rogan wonders if it could be an alien code or a prank from the Middle Ages. Whatever its origin, the Voynich Manuscript continues to challenge our understanding of history.
3. Göbekli Tepe: A 12,000-Year-Old Mystery Located in Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is a site that’s rewriting human history. Discovered in the 1990s, this ancient site features giant T-shaped pillars, many of which are adorned with animal carvings. These pillars, arranged in circles, are believed to be over 12,000 years old—making them older than Stonehenge by thousands of years. In JRE Episode 1284 (May 16th, 2019), Graham Hancock discussed the site with Rogan and Carlson, suggesting that it could have been built by hunter-gatherers who had far more advanced knowledge than previously believed. The site may have been a temple or a ritualistic center, and some believe it could even be tied to a climate catastrophe that occurred around 12,000 years ago.
4. The Great Pyramids of Giza: Engineering Marvels The Pyramids of Giza are often regarded as one of the greatest feats of engineering in human history. Built around 2500 BCE, these colossal structures contain over 2.3 million stone blocks, some weighing up to 80 tons. In JRE Episode 1124 (June 20th, 2018), Rogan and geologist Robert Schoch discussed the precision and intricacy involved in the construction of the pyramids. Some experts, including Schoch, argue that the pyramids are much older than we think, with signs of water erosion on the Sphinx suggesting a construction date as far back as 10,000 BCE. The pyramids’ alignment with the stars, particularly with Orion’s Belt, further adds to their mystique. Despite all the modern technology at our disposal, we still don’t fully understand how these massive stones were moved or the true purpose of the pyramids.
5. The Nazca Lines: Giant Geoglyphs in the Desert In the deserts of Peru lie the Nazca Lines, a series of enormous geoglyphs that can only be fully appreciated from the sky. In JRE Episode 872 (November 15th, 2016), Graham Hancock and Joe Rogan discussed these bizarre drawings, which include shapes like monkeys, spiders, and birds, that stretch over hundreds of meters. These lines were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by the Nazca people. While some believe the lines were created for ceremonial purposes, Rogan and Hancock entertain the possibility that they were signals to the heavens or even a form of shamanic ritual. The precision required to map these enormous figures, especially without the ability to fly, is still a mystery that science has yet to solve.
6. Atlantis: The Lost Civilization The legend of Atlantis, first described by Plato around 9,000 years before his time, has captivated imaginations for centuries. In JRE Episode 1368 (October 17th, 2019), Graham Hancock and Joe Rogan explored the possibility that Atlantis was a real civilization that existed long before recorded history. Hancock suggests that Atlantis was an advanced civilization that was wiped out by a catastrophic event, like a mega-flood or a comet impact, around 12,000 years ago. The theory ties into other ancient mysteries, such as Göbekli Tepe and the ancient ruins found underwater. While mainstream science dismisses the idea of Atlantis as a myth, the discovery of underwater ruins, like the Yonaguni Monument off the coast of Japan, has led some to believe that there may be hidden remnants of this lost civilization beneath the ocean.
7. The Bermuda Triangle: Ships and Planes Vanishing Without a Trace The Bermuda Triangle—a region in the Atlantic Ocean bounded by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico—has long been associated with mysterious disappearances of ships and aircraft. In JRE Episode 911 (February 1st, 2017), Joe Rogan and Alex Jones discussed the eerie phenomenon, which has resulted in the loss of planes, ships, and crews without any clear explanation. Some theories suggest the area is plagued by electromagnetic anomalies or methane gas emissions that could affect navigation. Despite several investigations and theories, the Bermuda Triangle remains one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in modern times.
8. The Dyatlov Pass Incident: A Horror Story from the Soviet Union The Dyatlov Pass Incident is a chilling mystery that took place in 1959 in the Ural Mountains of the Soviet Union. Nine hikers were found dead under bizarre circumstances—some were half-naked, while others had severe internal injuries, despite no external wounds. In JRE Episode 1361 (October 3rd, 2019), Joe Rogan and his guests, including Mike Tyson and Eddie Bravo, discussed this eerie case, with some suggesting that it could have been the result of an attack by unknown forces, while others believe the hikers may have encountered a natural disaster or a strange phenomenon. Despite numerous theories, the true cause of their deaths remains unknown, adding to the growing list of unsolved mysteries that continue to haunt us.
These mysteries, ranging from ancient artifacts and civilizations to modern enigmas, show just how much of our history and the world remains unexplained. Each of these stories challenges our understanding of the past, leaving us to wonder—what else have we missed? As technology advances and we continue to dig into the past, perhaps we’ll finally uncover the answers that have eluded us for centuries. But until then, these mind-boggling mysteries will continue to captivate our imagination and keep us questioning what we think we know about history.
