The mystery of 5 ancient cities that disappeared without a trace!

There have been many lost cities throughout history, have you ever wondered what happened to those cities that suddenly disappeared without a trace? Let's take a look at 5 such cities and the possible stories behind them.

1. The Mystery of Roanoke Island

In 1587, a group of English colonists set sail for Roanoke Island, off the coast of what is now North Carolina. When supply ships returned to the island three years later, they found the island settlement abandoned and its former inhabitants gone. The only clue was the word 'Croatoan' carved into the island.

Scholars have proposed many theories to explain what happened to the people there. Some believe they were killed by Native Americans; others believe they may have assimilated with nearby tribes. There is even a theory that they were captured by the Spanish or a group of pirates.

Recent archaeological digs have uncovered intriguing clues, including pottery fragments that suggest the island's colonists may have migrated to nearby islands. Yet the fate of the Roanoke colonists remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.

In August 1590, returning from a trip to England to pick up supplies, John White, governor of the Roanoke Island Colony in present-day North Carolina, found his settlement deserted. White and his men found no trace of the colony's roughly 100 inhabitants, nor any signs of violence. The only clue to their mysterious disappearance was the word "Croatoan" carved into a fence around the settlement. (Photo: Livescience)

2. El Dorado City

For centuries, the legend of El Dorado has captured the imagination of countless explorers. According to the legend, somewhere in the Americas there is a city made entirely of gold. Despite numerous expeditions attempting to find the city, El Dorado has never been found.

Some historians believe that this legend may be based on the legend of the Muisca people of modern Colombia, who often held a kind of ritual of covering new rulers with gold dust upon their arrival.

However, some speculate that the legend of El Dorado may have been a tactic used by the ancient Spaniards to inspire their armies to search for the treasure. Either way, El Dorado remains a mystery to this day.

The legend of El Dorado - the golden city on the shores of Lake Guatavita (now in Colombia) has existed since medieval times, beckoning many brave explorers to set out, although many never returned. (Photo: Planetamaldek)

3. The mysterious Indus Valley civilization

The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world's earliest urban societies, with a population of over 5 million at its peak. However, its decline and disappearance remain a mystery.

One theory is that the civilization was destroyed by a natural disaster such as an earthquake or flood. Another possibility is that climate change caused the collapse of the modern civilization's agricultural-based economy.

Whatever the cause, the Indus Valley civilization left behind a rich cultural legacy, including complex urban planning, advanced drainage systems, and a written language that has yet to be deciphered.

At first, it was simply stories about an ancient civilization that once existed in what is now Pakistan and was unknown to mankind. Then, in 1842, an explorer claimed to have discovered mysterious ruins, but they were not taken seriously by the scientific community. It was not until 1856, while laying railway tracks, that the remains of an undiscovered civilization were found. (Photo: Zhihu)

4. The Lost Greek City of Helike

The ancient Greek city of Helike was once a prosperous metropolis, renowned for its wealth and strategic location on the Gulf of Corinth. However, in 373 BC, the city was destroyed by an earthquake and sank beneath the sea.

According to legend, the god Poseidon became angry with the city and caused an earthquake that destroyed it. For centuries, the city lay hidden beneath the waves until underwater excavations in the 20th century finally revealed its ruins.

Today, the Helike ruins are a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world interested in its mysterious past.

The city of Helike is famous for its wealth and strategic location on the Gulf of Corinth. (Illustration: Zhihu).

5. The mysterious disappearance of the ancient Egyptian city of Heracleion

The ancient Egyptian city of Heracleion was once a bustling port with a population of around 100,000. However, the city was gradually abandoned and eventually sank beneath the waves.

For centuries, the city remained hidden underwater until archaeologists discovered its ruins in the early 20th century. The city is currently being excavated and artifacts unearthed inside reveal a rich culture as well as clues about life in ancient Egypt.

There are many theories as to why Heracleion disappeared beneath the waves. Some scholars believe that rising sea levels are causing urban flooding; others believe that earthquakes or subsidence are possible causes.

Another possibility is that the city was eventually abandoned due to its declining importance as a trading center.

There are many theories about why Heracleion disappeared beneath the waves. (Illustration: CNN).

Whatever the reason, the discovery of Heracleion has given us new insights into the rich history of ancient Egypt and the mysteries surrounding this enigmatic civilization.