From the Library of Alexandria to the lost works of Plato, the world is littered with ancient writings containing long-lost secrets.
No one knows what is written on the parchments of these ancient texts, but if they are ever found, they could give never before seen insights into ancient cultures. With even one of these writings, humanity’s understanding of the past could radically transform.
Ancient writings that could change the world
1. The Lost Works of Aristotle
One of the most alluring mysteries of ancient times, the lost works of Aristotle have fascinated many historians and philosophers. Aristotle is believed to have written about 200 works, ranging from lectures on philosophy and politics to biology and metaphysics. Despite the vast number of writings believed to have been written by Aristotle, only 31 of his works survive today.
One of the most interesting missing works of Aristotle is the second part of “Poetics.” The first part, which we have found, is the oldest of Aristotle’s works and one of the first books to contain literary theory. The book’s second portion is believed to contain literary theory related to comedy, which differs from the drama-focused first part.
2. The Texts of the Library of Alexandria
Perhaps one of the most famous events in history, the burning of the Library of Alexandria destroyed thousands of texts. It was once the knowledge-hub of the ancient world, with even the legendary ancient Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra being educated there. Its destruction is one of the most extensive losses of knowledge humanity has ever seen.
The Library of Alexandria, which housed an estimated 40,000 to 400,000 scrolls spanning a vast array of subjects, could have elevated human understanding and knowledge to an entirely different level had it not been destroyed.
3. Archimedes’ Lost Treatises
The legendary ancient Greek mathematician, engineer and inventor Archimedes made revolutionary discoveries for his time. However, many of his works have not been found. Rediscovering them would revolutionize our understanding of ancient Greek culture and potentially shake our knowledge of science and mathematics.
4. The Lost Treatises of Euclid
Euclid, the ancient Greek mathematician known as the “father of geometry,” made an enormous impact in his field. His surviving work, “Elements,” was used as a textbook for more than 2,000 years.
While Euclid’s seminal work significantly impacted humanity’s understanding of geometry, 12 of his other works have never been found. These ancient writings could alter our perspective of ancient mathematics and even revolutionize modern mathematics by offering never-before-seen ideas to today’s mathematicians.
5. “Book of the Wars of the LORD”
A lost ancient biblical text, it is rumored that the “Book of the Wars of the LORD” could be a collection of victory songs written about Israel’s military conquest of Canaan. Not only that, but it is rumored to be collectively written by Moses, Joshua and the generation of Israelites that finally made it into the land of milk and honey.
This document is also rumored to be the unnamed book referenced in Exodus 17:14. This is where God commanded Moses to write about an Israelite military victory over the Amalekites for Joshua’s future use. It might fill some historical gaps in the Bible with respect to when the Israelites first arrived in the promised land.
6. The Lost Works of Pythagoras
One of the most unbelievable truths of our modern world is that we have no surviving works from the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras. What we know about the creator of the Pythagorean theorem comes to us purely through those he influenced and taught.
If his works are ever found, they could change our understanding of ancient mathematics and the universe. The ancient Greek mathematician was rumored to have written works related to math, spirituality and the universe. The lost works of Pythagoras could merge these ideas in an unforeseen way.
7. The Lost Works of Julius Caesar
The great emperor of the ancient Roman Empire was also a prolific writer. His writings are thought to have heavily influenced military tactics and the operation of the empire for centuries after his death. Caesar’s works could revolutionize modernity’s perception of ancient military campaigns and perhaps even alter how today’s leaders govern.
8. Leonardo da Vinci’s Lost Notebooks
Perhaps one of the most famous people in human history, the Renaissance polymath’s work revolutionized many fields. From anatomy to engineering, Da Vinci had some influential ideas or designs that altered humanity’s understanding of the world around us. However, many of his works have never been found. They could offer new pathways for modern inventors and scientists and deepen our knowledge of the Renaissance.
9. The Lost Works of Empedocles
Empedocles, an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, is known for exploring the nature of the universe and introducing the idea of the four elements: air, water, fire and earth. His works helped get science off the ground by offering a pathway for ancient scientists to make groundbreaking discoveries.
Many of his works have been lost, but if found, they could deepen our understanding of ancient science. Especially ideas about the universe and souls, as he was known to be particularly interested in these concepts.
10. The Maya Codices
The Maya Codices are a collection of ancient writings created by the pre- Columbian Mayan Empire. A few pieces were written on bark paper, and many were lost in the Spanish conquest. The conquistadors saw them as pagan works and destroyed them. However, the codices could offer unparalleled insight into the ancient Mayans: their culture, astronomical studies and other sciences.
11. The Lost Treatises of Plato
Perhaps one of Ancient Greece’s most influential philosophers, Plato’s works have helped shape the world into what it is today. “The Republic,” “Phaedo,” and “Symposium” have shaped the minds of the greatest philosophers and politicians who came after him. If found, the lost treatises could give us a better idea of how Plato viewed the ideal society and could influence our politics today.
12. The Lost Works of Herodotus
Known as the “father of history,” the ancient Greek historian Herodotus documented events like the Greco-Persian wars and early civilizations in Greece and beyond. While “Histories” is his most famous surviving work, many references to Herodotus’ works in other ancient writings suggest that he had plenty more recordings of history and the world around him. His lost works could change history books forever, just as “Histories” did.
13. The Hypatia Codex
One of history’s most brilliant and influential women, Hypatia of Alexandria, was a philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. She was a teacher in Alexandria during the 4th century AD and contributed many ideas and theories to mathematics and philosophy.
Many of her writings were lost over time. They could give us insights not just into some of history’s most significant mathematical developments, but also into the role of women in ancient cultures.
14. The Sibylline Books
Most Sibylline books were lost in the Temple of Jupiter fire in 83 BC. The compelling idea of what could have been in these ancient prophetic books has never failed to capture modern imaginations. Ancient people would consult these books during times of crisis. They are believed to have been written by the prophetess Sibyl. While some pieces remain, they could pale in comparison to the whole text.
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