In the year 79, in the Campagnia region of modern Italy, Mount Vesuvius positively blew its stack, releasing molten rock, ash, and 100,00 times the thermal energy of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki blasts at the rate of 1.5 million tons per second.

The Walls Kept Tumbling Down

Whoa Facts

The preserved corpses of victims are the most well-known remnants from Pompeii; however,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-pompeii-photos/pierce-nahigyan" target="_blank">weird Pompeii artifacts</a> are not limited to the human victim variety. Things found at Pompeii are a haunting reminder of the vibrant city that once existed. Strange&nbsp;Pompeii artifacts that still capture our imagination today include prized possessions, good luck charms, urns, and more.

Archeologists digging through the&nbsp;weird Pompeii ruins were given a fascinating task. What did they find in Pompeii? Workers found evidence of a vibrant, lively city that was turned to ash on an otherwise normal day. Odd, everyday&nbsp;things found in Pompeii are a reminder random tragedies can strike at any time.

Weird Oddities Found At Pompeii That Aren't Bodies

General

Weird Oddities Found At Pompeii

Ada Hart

Mystery Entertainment

We've all done it - we're watching a mystery, whispering to our neighbor who we think the culprit is. Maybe you were working alongside Benoit Blanc as you <a href=" https://www.ranker.com/list/glass-onion-knives-out-small-details-hidden-easter-eggs/erin-maxwell">watched Glass Onion</a>. Or you kicked yourself after not realizing the big twist at the end of The Usual Suspects.&nbsp;More often than not, the director throws in some red herrings that do a good job of throwing us off the trail. But we're here to help you hone your deduction skills. Read on to learn of the clues that directors sprinkled throughout some of our favorite mysteries.&nbsp;And the next time you go to watch these movies, keep your eyes peeled for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movie-details-you-probably-missed/nathan-gibson">any other hints</a> that help you sniff out the guilty party. Beware: Spoilers ahead!

Testing

Film

qaadmin1

History

In cities all over the world,&nbsp;there are neighborhoods that are &quot;hidden,&quot; literally or figuratively. Some of them&nbsp;are blatantly ignored by their own government; the&nbsp;Kamagasaki district in Osaka, Japan, isn&#39;t even included on official maps of the city;&nbsp;while for years the government in Caracas, Venezuela, turned a blind eye&nbsp;to the fact that thousands of squatters were living in an abandoned,&nbsp;partially built high-rise nicknamed the &quot;Tower of David.&quot;

Others - like Ras Khamis in Jerusalem, the artificial island of Dejima located in Nagasaki, and Venice&#39;s Jewish Quarter -&nbsp;were physically cut off from the rest of their respective cities in order to segregate and control a specific segment of the population. One (<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-vatican-facts/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Vatican City</a>) even eventually became an independent country.

Many of these &quot;hidden&quot; cities are known for their crowded living quarters, poverty, and crime. But a much more positive thing also existed in many of these districts - a true sense of community.

10 Cities Within Cities That Became Their Own Hidden Worlds

10 Hidden Cities That Emerged Within Well Known Cities

TGWrites

Traditionally, the Viking Age spans from the late 8th century through the 11th century - essentially the period of widespread Scandinavian exploration <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/vikings-in-the-modern-world/aaron-edwards">and influence</a>.&nbsp;Most pop culture presentations of the Viking Age offer depictions of raiders and marauders who pillage and kill with reckless abandon. Not everything from the Viking Age has to do with sacking cities and wreaking havoc (although there was a fair amount of that taking place), and diving deep into the lives and beliefs of Norsemen and Norsewomen can lead to some pretty <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/viking-history-q-and-a/melissa-sartore">amazing revelations</a>. This year did just that.&nbsp;We looked closely at the actions of the men and women shown in <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/vikings-valhalla-actual-history/melissa-sartore">Vikings: Valhalla</a>, myths about dragons, Viking tattoos, and a host of other topics from the Viking Age. Take a look at some of what we learned and vote up the most thundering tidbits.

12 Facts About The Viking Age We Learned In 2022 That Are More Thunderous Than Thor Himself

Melissa Sartore

Rankings, theories, behind-the-scenes stories, and fun facts about the adventures of Indiana Jones, the archaeologist who can find anything—except the inner-strength to conquer his own fear of snakes.

X Never, Ever Marks the Spot

Indiana Jones

Since his debut in 1981, Indiana Jones has been doing his part to rescue relics and save history from unsavory characters who wish to use the artifacts for malicious means. Watching Indy save the day and the treasure is always a treat, but do you ever wonder if that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/american-buried-treasure-still-missing/emily-mast">treasure</a> actually existed, and if so, what it would be worth?&nbsp;We looked at the artifacts, treasures, and relics <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/harrison-ford-on-making-indiana-jones/natalie-jonah">Indiana Jones</a> saved and/or found over the years. By comparing them to real-world counterparts, or making real-world guesstimates based on the time period and materials used to create the relic, we came up with how much each treasure might be worth. From the ark of the covenant to the Eye of the Peacock, here are a few artifacts found by Indiana Jones and what they might be worth in the real world. Please vote up the rescued relics whose price tags could launch a crusade of their own.&nbsp;

The Actual, Real World Value Of All The Artifacts Indiana Jones Finds

How Much Are The Ancient Artifacts In Indiana Jones Actually Worth?

M. Muir

Vikings

Untitled Listsdvfdb 

Lists about the fascinating culture and practices of the civilization that occupied Northeastern Africa from 3000 to 300 BC. 

Walk Like an Egyptian

Looking closer at the who, what, where, why, and how of mummies and human preservation around the world and throughout history.

Forever Young

<a href="/list/chinas-lady-dai-mummy-mystery/jessika-gilbert" target="_blank">Everyone loves a good mummy</a>, but one of the most fascinating stories about these wrapped legends doesn&#39;t have anything to do with the likes of King Tutankhamun&nbsp;or <a href="/list/facts-about-inca-ice-woman-juanita/lisa-a-flowers" target="_blank">Juanita</a>. One of history&#39;s <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-famous-mummies-really-looked-like/christy-box?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous mummies</a> is &quot;Unknown Man E,&quot; found at the ancient Egyptian site of Deir el-Bahri. But this, one of the most scary mummies ever found, is better known to the world as the &quot;Screaming Mummy.&quot;

This bizarre mummy features a thrown-back head and an open jaw in what looks like a blood-curdling scream. But what&nbsp;happened to Egypt&#39;s Screaming Mummy, and why is he yelling? Archaeologists analyzed the mummy and his wrappings and have reasoned he might have been a disgraced prince named Pentawere. This&nbsp;ancient conspiracy involved a minor queen trying to put her&nbsp;son, Pentawere, on the throne, while overthrowing his dad, Ramesses III, in the process. The plot was eventually discovered and Pentawere forced to commit take his own life... but what happened to him?&nbsp;Perhaps archaeologists discovered his body when they uncovered&nbsp;the Screaming Mummy!

The Horrifying Story Behind 'The Screaming Mummy'

The Horrifying Story Behind "The Screaming Mummy"

Carly Silver

Ancient Greece

There have been numerous <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-and-shows-based-on-mythology-/ariannafelidae?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV shows about Greek mythology</a> over the years for us mere mortals to enjoy.&nbsp;While it may have been created thousands of years ago, Greek mythology continues to influence the modern world in new and exciting ways. Many would say our current fascination with superheroes has roots in ancient mythology and seeing the parallels between Superman and the gods would certainly support that theory. But you don't have to look too far to find connections. Mythology is fun and makes for great character archetypes, which is why there are such good shows about Greek and Roman mythology.Some shows take a direct approach to adapting mythology, such as the various shows centering around Hercules. Other take a more modern approach, such as the 90s series Cupid where the Greek god is tasked with making 100 couples fall in love.&nbsp;This list features the best Greek mythology TV series of all time. You have the power of Zeus in your hands with the might to decide which shows make it to the top of the list and which ones are banished to the bottom.&nbsp;

The Greatest TV Shows About Or Inspired By Greek Mythology

TV Program

The Best Greek Mythology TV Series & Shows About Greco-Roman Gods

Ranker TV

Exploring the folklore, stories, and teachings in different cultures around the globe and throughout history.

Mythology Around the World

For us mere mortals, mythology and the world of ancient Greece and the gods has been a fascinating subject for thousands of years. So it makes sense that filmmakers have been drawing inspiration from Greek mythology almost since the advent of the medium. Mythological stories tend to be rich with drama, action, and betrayal, none more so than Greek mythology where humans lived in harmony or discord with their gods.&nbsp;These interactions often led to grand adventures that make for great movies. Other films like Hercules in New York and Mighty Aphrodite take elements from Greek mythology and place them in modern settings. Ideas like these have also been the basis for many <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-shows-about-greek-mythology/ranker-tv" target="_blank">TV shows about Greek mythology</a> as well.

It&rsquo;s really no wonder why popular directors like Zack Snyder, Oliver Stone, and the Coen&nbsp;brothers have all made movies that bring the Greek mythos to the silver screen. But which one of these movies is the best? You get to help decide by voting up your favorite Greek mythology movies. The best part is that you can vote for more than one, you&rsquo;ll be helping other fans find out what to watch next. Thanks to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime, you can start watching a lot of these movies right now. 
&nbsp;

Oedipus Mayor

The Best Movies About Greek Mythology

The 36 Best Greek Mythology Movies Of All Time

Ranker Film

Lists about the fascinating, often brutal customs and rituals about the legendary Norse seafarers.

A Viking's Life for Me

poll

The best Viking movies have all the action and historical drama you could want. If you like a little sci-fi action mixed in with your Viking films, be sure to check out&nbsp;Outlander&nbsp;starring Jim Caviezel and Ron Perlman.&nbsp;&nbsp;What are the best movies about Vikings? Vote up the best Viking films below and see where your favorites rank!

The movies on this list all feature Vikings in one way or another, whether it&#39;s a story about completely fictional Norsemen or more of a realistic, historical film about Vikings and the roles they play throughout history.

This list features the best movies about Vikings including&nbsp;The 13th Warrior, Valhalla Rising, and Pathfinder. Vote up the best Viking movies below and vote down and Viking films you think other fans should skip.

The Secret of Kells

The Best Movies About Vikings

The Best Viking Movies Of All Time, Ranked By Fans

Gaming

Rome is one of the most fascinating ancient cultures due to the intricate historical records kept detailing the impressive people, places, and customs&nbsp;of a civilization that stood for more than 1,500 years. When Rome fell, it was one of the most chaotic times in Europe, and because&nbsp;Roman civilization impacted so many others, people have been fascinated with it&nbsp;for centuries.

It should come as no surprise that video game developers have been tapping into Roman history for games since the earliest days of the medium. While there have been plenty of&nbsp;Roman gladiator games, dig a little deeper and you&#39;ll uncover a bevy of strategy, first-person, third-person, civilization-building, domination, role-playing, and every other type of gaming genre that&#39;s&nbsp;somehow&nbsp;set in ancient Rome over&nbsp;the past 40 years.&nbsp;Some may have been forgotten in the annuals of history, while others are still&nbsp;regarded as&nbsp;exceptional ancient Roman video games.

Check out these 20 games centered around the rise and fall of&nbsp;Rome down below, and don&#39;t forget to vote up your favorite to see which video game about ancient Rome is the most epic.

20 Video Games About Ancient Rome To Help Unleash Your Inner Gladiator

Computer Game

The 20 All-Time Best Roman Video Games, Ranked

Kyle Townsend

People have been living all around the world for literally thousands of years. Here are some of the most interesting things human beings have ever done (that we know about).

Fascinating Ancient History

What It's Like

Today, monuments in the ancient world, from the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-ancient-egyptians-moved-pyramid-blocks/stephanroget">Pyramids of Giza</a> to the Roman Pantheon to Cambodia's Angkor Wat, are some of the world's most popular tourism&nbsp;destinations. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/secret-rooms-in-historical-landmarks/jim-rowley">Historical landmarks</a> like these&nbsp;allow visitors to imagine what life would have been like thousands of years before their time, which is a major part of their appeal.But this is not a modern phenomenon. Ancient peoples flocked to tourist destinations for the same reasons people do today: to be enlightened, entertained, and energized.

What Tourism Was Like In The Ancient World

Location

Jim Rowley

Alligator wrestling, bull leaping, and carcass polo all sound like made-up sports. And yet people in Central America lined up to watch horsemen grab a headless goat carcass, Seminole Indians wrestled alligators, and ancient Minoans jumped over bulls.

When it comes to extreme historical <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/all-extreme-sports-list/reference" target="_blank">sports</a>, that&#39;s just the beginning. Venetians brawled with each other to claim control of a bridge, Egyptian fisherman tried to drown each other, and Greek wrestlers broke each other&#39;s bones to win games. In ancient Sparta, teenagers played a &quot;game&quot; called krypteia that involved massacring unarmed slaves, and ancient Mayans had to win their game or be sacrificed to the gods.&nbsp;

Unlike modern sports, where players have to follow rules, many of these extreme ancient sports were no holds barred. Vote up the ancient sports that are absurdly extreme.

13 Extreme Historical Sports That Sound Made Up But Aren’t

13 Extreme Ancient Sports That Sound Made Up But Aren’t

Genevieve Carlton

Humans didn’t always live in cities and towns.&nbsp;They started out as nomadic tribes looking for whatever food was available in their general area. Hunter-gatherer societies laid the foundations of our modern civilizations, comprising almost all of human history with the exception of the last few thousand years. But what was it like to live as one of them?During their dominant time in the Paleolithic Era, hunter-gatherers spent their days scrounging food from plant life while hunting and fishing for meat. These two means of obtaining food led to the basic cultural structures we see today, especially in the form of gender roles.Hunter-gatherer societies&nbsp;hold many surprises, especially when we study the last few remaining&nbsp;tribes that live a similar lifestyle today. Even though humanity eventually embraced agriculture during the Neolithic Era, a few hunter-gatherer tribes have lived on, and from them we can extrapolate what life was once like for all human beings.

What It Would Have Been Like to Live in a Hunter-Gatherer Society

What It's Like to Live in a Hunter-Gatherer Society

Aaron Edwards

Lists about the infinite expanses of space and time. Read up to open your mind so wide, it explodes.

Theories of the Universe

Ancient History

Many ancient thinkers&#39; observations about&nbsp;nature - the origins of life, the size and scope and organization of the heavens, the causes of disease - <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-theories-about-space/machk" target="_blank">were woefully inaccurate</a>. But this is not because early theorists were dumb. In fact, they were often&nbsp;deeply observant, sophisticated, and rigorous in their thinking. They invented, or at least formalized, many of the concepts - from mathematics, to logic, to empiricism&nbsp;- that we take for granted as essential tools in understanding the world around us.

It&rsquo;s easy to stand on a mountain&nbsp;of others&rsquo; achievements and look down on the poor rubes who believed the sun went around the Earth, or that disease was caused by poisonous &quot;miasma&quot;&nbsp;in the air or an imbalance of humors in the body. But it&rsquo;s the height of arrogance to suppose that, in their shoes, modern thinkers would&nbsp;have done any better. It&rsquo;s a lot easier to read about heliocentrism, or evolution, or germ theory, in a textbook&nbsp;than to <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/full-cast-of-figure-it-out-cast-list-for-the-show-figure-it-out/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">figure it out</a> for oneself.

Although this process of accumulating knowledge is a slow one, occasionally people from past ages did&nbsp;have tantalizing flashes of insight that, for whatever reason, didn&rsquo;t become conventional wisdom for many centuries. Perhaps empirical data wasn&#39;t available to support these insights, or cultural currents were too strong to overcome. The flashes remain in the historical record and remind us of the truth of Einstein&rsquo;s assertion:

<blockquote>
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution. It is, strictly speaking, a real factor in scientific research.
</blockquote>

10 Ancient Theories That Turned Out To Be Correct

Person

Ancient Theories That Turned Out To Be Correct

Gordon Cameron

The Vikings are chiefly known today as warriors - brute, gruff, and ruthless. And while many&nbsp;archaeological finds from the Viking era do back that up, there was much more to their society than that. These <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/recent-history-of-viking-discoveries/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">Viking artifacts</a>&nbsp;depict the military prowess of the Norse people, while also highlighting their lesser-known artistic talents, seen in creations like colored glass and rings.&nbsp;

Regardless of how we imagine&nbsp;the Vikings, these astonishing relics shed light on a centuries-old civilization. Sometimes, the only word to be mustered is &quot;whoa.&quot;

25 Viking Artifacts That Made Us Say 'Whoa'

Mallory Weiler

Ancient History lists at Ranker - The ultimate source for hundreds of ancient history lists and rankings