History abounds with treasures. Our books tell tales of glorious bounties beyond the imagination, but some are very real, even though we haven’t found them yet.
Historical Treasures Lost
Discover 14 historical treasures that are still lost to time. Historians are sure they are real, due to all the records of their existence, but we haven’t found them yet.
Who will embark upon the greatest adventure of their life and discover them?
First Qin Emperor’s Tomb
Archeologists know precisely where the tomb of the First Qin Emperor of China lies but refuse to open it because all historical records indicate it’s filled with booby traps.
Flor de la Mar
The Flor de la Mar set sail from the West Indies loaded with treasure but never brought the riches back to Portugal. It sank off the coast of Sumatra and has still never been found.
Portrait of a Young Man
Famed Renaissance artist Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man was lost during World War II. Historians believe it was sold on the black market.
Spanish Treasure Fleet Wreck
In 1715, a fleet of treasure-laden ships on the way to Spain got caught in a hurricane. All 11 ships were lost. Though divers have recovered pieces of the wreck, much of it is still under the sea.
Museum Theft
In 1990, thieves made off with 500 million dollars’ worth of artifacts from the Garnder Museum in Boston. The heist was never solved, and the works never recovered.
Alexander the Great
Archeologists still haven’t found the tomb of Ancient Greece’s most renowned ruler. It’s believed to be somewhere in Alexandria, but no one knows for sure.
Faberge Eggs
There are at least seven Faberge Eggs unaccounted for. We know they were made because they appear in books, but nobody knows whether these seven pieces were destroyed or stolen for a private collection.
King John’s Crown Jewels
Over 800 years ago, King John lost his crown jewels trying to cross an estuary. The sea claimed the treasures and has refused to return them over the centuries.
The Amber Room
The world lost an entire room enshrined in amber and gold during looting in World War II. Nazi soldiers dismantled the room, taking the panels to Germany, where they were stored in a building that suffered massive losses during Allied bombing. Nobody knows if the panels survived and, if they did, where they went.
The Golden Menorah
When the Romans sacked Jerusalem in the first century, they stole a giant golden menorah from the 2nd temple. It may still be in Rome, hidden by the Vatican, or someplace in Turkey. Sadly, it may have been melted down for coin. Nobody knows.
A Horde of Aztec Gold
Spanish conquistadors attempting to run off with Aztec gold faced a surprise uprising. Many lives were lost in the battle, along with most of the gold, which historians believe fell into the lake.
The Forbidden Vault
The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in India is rumored to hold immeasurable treasures, but no one dare open it. According to legend, a horrific curse awaits anyone who attempts to remove the treasure.