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Most Amazing Treasures Nobody Ever Found
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Most Amazing Treasures Nobody Ever Found
The Ark of the Covenant
To the ancient Israelites, the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred thing on Earth. The central and paramount object of the Hebrew nation, this ornate chest was, according to the Bible, designed by God.
Measuring 44 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 26 inches high, the chest was made of acacia wood, overlaid inside and out with pure gold, and surrounded by an artistic gold border. Mounted on the solid gold cover were two golden cherubs, one at each end of the cover facing each other, with heads bowed and wings extending upward.
The Ark served as a holy archive for the safekeeping of sacred relics, including the two stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. As a historical and religious treasure, the Ark and its contents were absolutely priceless.
In 607 B.C., Jerusalem, the capital city of the Israelite kingdom of Judah and home of Solomon’s Temple, where the Ark was housed, was besieged and overthrown by the Babylonians. In a terrible slaughter, more than a million people were killed, with the survivors driven off into captivity.
Seventy years later, when the Israelites returned to rebuild the city, the Ark of the Covenant was gone. What happened to this priceless relic has been the subject of intense speculation ever since.
It is widely believed that the Ark was hidden by the Hebrews to keep it from the Babylonians. Possible locations for its hiding place range from Mount Nebo in Egypt to Ethiopia to a cave in the heart of Judah. Yet, if the Ark was hidden, why was it not recovered when the Israelites returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple?
Others believe that the Ark was destroyed by the rampaging Babylonians. Still another explanation put forth by the faithful is that God miraculously removed the Ark for safekeeping by means of divine intervention.
The Amber Room
Described as the eighth wonder of the world by those who saw it, the Amber Room is certainly the most unique missing treasure in history.
It was an 11-foot-square hall consisting of large wall panels inlaid with several tons of superbly designed amber, large gold-leaf-edged mirrors, and four magnificent Florentine mosaics. Arranged in three tiers, the amber was inlaid with precious jewels, and glass display cases housed one of the most valuable collections of Prussian and Russian artwork ever assembled.
Created for Prussia’s King Friedrich I and given to Russian czar Peter the Great in 1716, it was located at Catherine Palace, near St. Petersburg. Today, the Amber Room would be valued at more than $142 million.
When Adolf Hitler turned his Nazi war machine toward Russia, the keepers of the Amber Room got nervous. They tried to move it, but the amber began to crumble, so they tried to cover it with wallpaper. They were unsuccessful and when the Nazis stormed Leningrad (formerly called St. Petersburg) in October 1941, they claimed it and put it on display in Königsberg Castle during the remaining war years.
However, when Königsberg surrendered in April 1945, the fabled treasure was nowhere to be found. The Amber Room was never seen again. Did the Soviets unwittingly destroy their own treasure with bombs? Was it hidden in a now lost subterranean bunker outside the city? Or was it destroyed when Königsberg Castle burned shortly after the city surrendered?
We’ll probably never know for sure. But fortunately for lovers of opulence, the Amber Room has been painstakingly recreated and is on display in Catherine Palace.
Blackbeard’s Treasure
The famous pirate Blackbeard only spent about two years (1716-1718) plundering the high seas. Within that time, however, he amassed some serious wealth. While the Spanish were busy obtaining all the gold and silver they could extract from Mexico and South America, Blackbeard and his mates waited patiently, then pounced on the treasure-laden ships as they sailed back to Spain.
Blackbeard developed a fearsome reputation as a cruel and vicious opportunist. His reign of terror centered around the West Indies and the Atlantic coast of North America, with headquarters in both the Bahamas and North Carolina. His end came in November 1718, when British Lieutenant Robert Maynard decapitated the pirate and hung his head from the bowsprit of his ship as a grisly trophy.
But what happened to the vast treasure that Blackbeard had amassed? He acknowledged burying it but never disclosed the location. But that hasn’t stopped countless treasure hunters from trying to get their hands on it.
Blackbeard’s sunken ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge, is believed to have been discovered near Beaufort, North Carolina, in 1996, but the loot wasn’t onboard. Possible locations for the hidden stash include the Caribbean Islands, Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, and the caves of the Cayman Islands.
Treasures of Lima
In 1820, Lima, Peru, was on the edge of revolt. As a preventative measure, the viceroy of Lima decided to transport the city’s fabulous wealth to Mexico for safekeeping. The treasures included jeweled stones, candlesticks, and two life-size solid gold statues of Mary holding the baby Jesus. In all, the treasure filled 11 ships and was valued at around $60 million.
Captain William Thompson, commander of the Mary Dear, was put in charge of transporting the riches to Mexico. But the viceroy should have done some research on the man to whom he handed such fabulous wealth because Thompson was a pirate, and a ruthless one at that. Once the ships were well out to sea, he cut the throats of the Peruvian guards and threw their bodies overboard.
Thompson headed for the Cocos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, where he and his men allegedly buried the treasure. They then decided to split up and lay low until the situation had calmed down, at which time they would reconvene to divvy up the spoils.
But the Mary Dear was captured, and the crew went on trial for piracy. All but Thompson and his first mate were hanged. To save their lives, the two agreed to lead the Spanish to the stolen treasure. They took them as far as the Cocos Islands and then managed to escape into the jungle. Thompson, the first mate, and the treasure were never seen again.
Since then more than 300 expeditions have tried — unsuccessfully — to locate the treasures of Lima. The most recent theory is that the treasure wasn’t buried on the Cocos Islands at all but on an unknown island off the coast of Central America.
Pharaohs’ Missing Treasure
When Howard Carter found the tomb of Tutankhamen in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in 1922, he was mesmerized by the splendor of the artifacts that the young king took to the afterlife. Attached to the burial chamber was a treasury with so many jewels and other artifacts that it took Carter ten years to fully catalog them.
However, when the burial chambers of more prominent pharaohs were unearthed in the late 19th century, their treasure chambers were virtually empty. It is common knowledge that tomb robbers had been busy in the tombs over the centuries, but the scale of the theft required to clean out the tombs of the kings is beyond petty criminals. So, where is the vast wealth of the pharaohs buried in the Valley of the Kings?
Some scholars believe that the treasures were appropriated by the priests who conducted reburials in the Valley of the Kings during the period of the early 20th and late 21st Egyptian dynasties (425-343 B.C.). Pharaohs were not averse to reusing the funeral splendors of their ancestors, so this may have been carried out with official sanction.
One particular ruler, Herihor, has been the focus of special attention. Herihor was a high court official during the reign of Ramses XI. Upon Ramses’ death, Herihor usurped the throne, dividing up the kingdom with a co-conspirator, his son-in-law Piankh. Herihor placed himself in charge of reburial proceedings at the Valley of the Kings, affording himself ample opportunity to pilfer on a grand scale.
His tomb has never been found. When and if it is, many scholars believe that the missing treasures of many of Egypt’s pharaohs will finally see the light of day.
Montezuma’s Treasure
The Spanish decimation of the Aztec empire in Mexico came to a head on July 1, 1520. After mortally wounding EmperorMontezuma, Hernando Cortés and his men were besieged by enraged Aztec warriors in the capital city of Tenochtitlán.
After days of fierce fighting, Cortés ordered his men to pack up the vast treasures of Montezuma in preparation for a night flight, but they didn’t get far before the Aztecs fell upon them. The ensuing carnage filled Lake Tezcuco with Spanish bodies and the stolen treasures of Montezuma.
The terrified army had thrown the booty away in a vain attempt to escape with their lives. The hoard consisted of countless gold and silver ornaments, along with a huge array of jewels.
Cortés and a handful of his men got away with their lives and returned a year later to exact their revenge. When the inhabitants of Tenochtitlán got wind of the approaching invaders, they buried the remains of the city’s treasure in and around Lake Tezcuco to prevent it from falling prey to the gold-crazed Spanish.
Today, a vast treasure trove remains hidden beneath nearly five centuries of mud and sludge on the outskirts of Mexico City, the modern day incarnation of Tenochtitlán. Generations of treasure seekers have sought the lost hoard without success. A former president of Mexico even had the lake bed dredged, but no treasure was found.
The electric vehicle market is growing rapidly. 2018 saw record numbers of new registrations in December alone, with over 65,000 EV’s purchased. We normally associate electric vehicles with mid-range manufacturers such as Nissan, but luxury manufacturers are now entering the market themselves. Grange vehicles, who offer the stunning Jaguar E-Pace, are taking a look at five of the best luxury electric cars on the market today.
1) Tesla Model S
Tesla is a household name when it comes to EV’s and the Model S is world famous. According to Tesla’s official site, the company is ‘accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. The Model S offers a hugely impressive 370-miles range and its Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive makes it a perfect drive in all weather conditions. Filled with an abundance of cutting-edge technology and an extremely spacious seating plan, this vehicle is the epitome of luxury.
2) Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar logo is instantly recognizable all over the world. Synonymous with great design, Jaguar is a brand that commands respect. Known for its power, the Jaguar may not be the first to roll off the tongue when you think about electric vehicles. However, the Jaguar I-Pace offers a superb 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and offers up to 292 miles WLTP cycle. With amazing weight distribution, its electric motors deliver 696Nm of instant torque and sports car agility. The multi-award-winning model was named 2019 World Green Car and 2019 World Car Design of the Year at this year’s World Car Awards. You can build the car to your own spec, or if you want a more budget-friendly model, a used Jaguar may be the better option.
3) Aston Martin Rapide E
The battery-powered Aston Martin Rapide E is perfect (if you have a spare £250,000)! Replacing the 552bhp 6.0-litre, V12 found in the engine bay of the Rapide S is a battery packing 800 volts and a 65khw capacity which will allow the equivalent of 602bhp. With a range of up to 310 miles, this car won’t see you stuck as is so often the presumption (albeit it an archaic presumption). It will feature two electric motors which will drive a rear wheel each via an Xtract-developed transmission.
4) Range Rover P400e
Although the P400e isn’t fully electric, the hybrid offers all of the benefits of an EV combined with the off-road abilities of Range Rover. It was first unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year. It can be driven in parallel hybrid mode, which combines both petrol and electric and is the default driving mode, or EV mode, which is perfect for zero emission journeys. It symbolizes the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric, with Jaguar Land Rover to offer an electrified option by next year.
5) Porsche Taycan
In 2015, Porsche revealed it’s first electric car concept, the Mission E but now the full production version has hit the dealerships. The Taycan is set to be a highly premium electric car that’s set to rival Tesla’s Model S. It’s set to be unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show and is to lead the way for Porsche’s attack on the electric vehicle sector, with the likes of the Macan to be transformed into a fully electric offering.
The Taycan’s capabilities will see it able to reach 62mph in under 3.5 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 155mph. The move won’t allow Porsche to lose its roots however, according to Oliver Blume, chairman of the Porsche executive board. He said: “We are resolutely taking on the challenge of electric mobility. Even with solely battery-powered sports cars, Porsche is remaining true to its philosophy and offering our customers the sportiest and technologically most sophisticated model in this market segment.” The success of the electric vehicle market will undoubtedly revolutionize the automotive industry as a whole. Additionally, an increase in related services such as EV charging from suppliers such as Northern Powergrid has meant that the market can continue to grow. It’s clear that all car manufacturers, no matter what their status, have electric vehicles firmly in their sights. As the concept becomes more popular, prices will likely decrease and technology will continue to improve.
Businesses now use 3D printers and 3d printing services to bring product prototypes to life and present ideas in a visual manner. However, as the technology becomes more accessible, consumers are also beginning to purchase the item. 3D printers, along with drones, are among the most desired gadgets. Some experts believe that each household will own one. The possibility that these printers provide is limited only by one’s imagination.
Smartphone Accessories
Many 3D printer enthusiasts use the device to create their accessories for smartphones or tablets. Although the process may require learning some design techniques, people can download a template design or modify existing ideas to create something unique and personalized. The items for smartphones do not end in just cases. If you can think it and draw it, you can create and print it, including items such as tripods, phone stands, hands-free devices for cars, accessories to hide the phone cables, macro lenses, and much more.
Model Cars
Another idea is to print model cars and start a 3D printed collection. Car manufacturers are starting to allow the filtering of 3D technology into their production process. For example, Ford fanatics can download files from an authorized online store and print a 3D model version. The Ford Motor Company recently launched an online store specializing in images and files associated with 3D printing that provided enthusiasts with access to create models of a Ford Mustang GT350R, among other car models.
3D printing does raise questions about the ethics and legality of printing replicated and patent-protected items. For example, is it legal or ethical to print a Mickey Mouse figurine for your kids to play with without Disney’s consent? Some companies such as Honda decided to embrace the technology and move past the problems by taking the initiative of allowing enthusiasts access to printing such items. The Honda 3D website is not just limited to cars. The site includes the ability for site visitors to print items including anime-like Puyo and Fuya-jo designs.
Movie Props
Another cool idea is to print props from your favorite movies. A great example of a massive cult-like following is Star Wars and the possibility of printing a Stormtrooper helmet or other movie props. The helmet from Episode VII is available for download, and these Stormtrooper or imperial soldier designs keep an original feel while also providing one’s own personality to be incorporated into the design. The options also include the Crossguard Lightsaber shown in the latest movie, Master Yoda, and even the Death Star. The level of personalization and customization is just not possible without the advent of 3D printing technology. Also, the printing of accessories can add details for any custom-made costume.
The growing popularity of 3D printers and 3d printing services creates scenarios where these types of projects are more common. Therefore, companies need to revisit their idea on patents and strike a balance between protecting their intellectual property and providing the marketplace with what consumers want. As printing popularity grows, different industries and categories of products will emerge. One of these is sustainable 3D printing and the use of environmentally-friendly components. Those who are interested in such type of products can look toward the Q1 2018 Sustainable Funds Review, as these types of investments in alternatives will help create new emerging markets. The future is green, and 3D printing can be part of it.
An aquarium would make a valuable addition to any household, big or small; however, they can be a daunting task for anyone who is new to the wonderful world of tropical & coldwater fish. For any fish beginners, an ideal starting point would be a simple 10 gallon aquarium with a few goldfish and the odd plastic plant and tank decoration thrown in for good measure. There is a wide range of beginners guides to owning an aquarium available on Amazon; online aquarium supply companies, such as Joes Aquatic World, will provide you with everything you need to create your ideal aquatic environment for your tropical & coldwater friends.
As time goes by, you will find yourself wanting to gradually improve your aquarium by either adding more fish or increasing the size of your aquarium. If you are in need of some ideas about how far you can push the boundaries of your aquarium, then look no further because we have compiled a list of some of the most extreme aquariums known to man.
THE LABYRINTH AQUARIUM
 
Somewhat reminiscent of a gerbil cage, this aptly-titled Labyrinth Aquarium has 6 individual globes that are all connected by tubes. It also has its own ambient lighting to create the perfect glow for your aquarium. Be warned, it will set you back a little over £6,000!
JELLYFISH AQUARIUM
 
This desktop jellyfish aquarium is highly unconventional, primarily because keeping jellyfish as a pet is incredibly difficult. This is mainly a result of the inherent fragility of jellyfish, which are at risk of being killed by incorrect filtration equipment. The unique design of this aquarium ensures that jellyfish are kept in the centre of the tank and safely away from water inlets, which makes it the perfect desktop accessory.
AQUARIUM COFFEE TABLE
 
This innovative and eye-catching aquarium-coffee-table hybrid is guaranteed to catch the eye of anyone that comes across it.  It is available in four different colours- beech, rosewood, silver, and black, and it is sure to give pleasure to both you and your aquarium inhabitants.
AQUADOM, BERLIN RADISSON BLU HOTEL
 
Although you could never hope of owning this magnificent aquarium for yourself, you can certainly sit back and admire its sheer opulence and beauty. The AquaDom is a living-art installation that is located within the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin, Germany. It features a 1 million gallon aquatic cylinder, which contains an elevator made of pure glass! This will allow you to truly immerse yourself in an aquatic environment that would only be possible at home if you jumped in the bath with your troupe of goldfish
Betting is now a major pastime; whether its passing a few spare minutes or sitting down to a poker game, and with so many online casinos offering dizzying welcome bonuses, what is there to stop you?
There are all sorts of novelty bets out there – you just need to ask your local bookie. It can be whether your kid will be a footballer, who will win the next election or how many days the latest fad celeb marriage will last. It’s all worked out on probability statistics, so essentially you can bet on anything. After wading through some of the most unusual bets in history we’ve come up with our favourite three.
A Welshmans Accumulator
In 1989 an anonymous Welshman placed an accumulator bet at his local bookies on three different situations. He was offered odds of 6479/1 that they would all come true, promptly paid in £30 (£10 to each situation) and went on his way.
The novelty bets he placed were these: that Cliff Richard would be knighted before the year 2000, that U2 would stay together past the year 2000 and that Eastenders and Neighbours would stay on the BBC until at least 2000. After 11 years he wandered back into the bookies with a faded betting slip asking that he could collect his winnings they came to £194,400, the largest ever payout on a novelty bet.
Iowa Bet
Renowned high-stakes gambler John Hennigan is known just as much for his betting ability as he is for his infamous night life in Vegas. After some particularly hair-raising shenanigans, friends bet him $100,000 that he could live in Des Moines, Iowa; the place they considered the most boring ever. The bet was duly accepted with the usual macho pride and this will be easy attitude, but after just 2 days Hennigan returned to Vegas with his tail between his legs and paid out his bet to his friends.
Life Savings Bet
You’d have to be crazy to sell everything and bet your entire lifes worth, right? Well Kent resident Ashley Revell, aged 32, bet his life savings in 2004 on a single turn of the roulette wheel. Placing £76,840 that the ball would land on red in a Vegas casino he won a cool £153,680.
Casinos like spinit casino can definitely be lucky for some, but we certainly wouldn’t suggest betting your life if not for the sole fact that your wife might not be too happy. What are the weirdest bets you’ve ever placed?
Performance artist Nate Hill is at it again with his Punch Me Panda project. In this community service experiment, Nate travels around New York City, offering strangers the chance to hit him for a penny as a way for them to release pent up emotions.
The Wall Street Journal has a fantastic photo essay and article at the link below.
Wall Street Journal: “Punch Me Pandaâ€
Nate Hill has reincarnated! Earlier this year, the artist had himself a Manhattan walkabout (and Tweetfest) as a masked, 100% white-clad Mr. Dropout, “detachment walking†through the city in his “cocoon,†meditating and kind of resembling this LES character. Then he went “missing.†And now, he’s back as Punch Me Panda. It’s a panda. You can punch it.
It will cost you a penny per punch. Servicing Brooklyn this November, Punch Me Panda (a homeless Bronx Zoo escapee) will virtually become your anger outlet. He’ll come to your house by appointment when New York is getting you down and you can punch at it with boxing gloves. Sounds like a socially beneficial and potentially life-threatening endeavor. Unlike Death Bear that mostly attracted girls, this is more “man friendly.†Let the unisex rage expulsion begin!
You are here: Home / Cool Stories / Stats should find Grand National winner
Stats should find Grand National winner
We’re just two weeks away from the world’s greatest horse race – one in which the inhabitants of the UK gamble somewhere between £150m and £200m each year!
Most people simply pick out a name they like and cheer their selection on in front of the TV; it’s a British tradition. This is partly because the race is traditionally seen as one that pretty much any hose can win. And when you consider the enormous fences that have to be jumped over four and a half miles of turf, with 40 horses in the race each year – it’s easy to see where that belief comes from. And there have been plenty of very long-shot winners over the years.
But actually, if you analyse the statistics of the winners of the race – you can narrow the field down quite markedly yet still retain a few long-shot bets.
For example, over the last three decades, 80% of winners have been aged 9, 10 or 11 and the average weight carried by the winner over that period is 10st-08¾lbs. Yet still some of the closest-priced favourites have well over 11stones.
Then when you consider that four out of every five winners during recent years had run over hurdles in the season in which they won the Grand National, that all the last ten winners of the race had previously won a race worth £17k or more, and had run over fences at least ten times and that they’d all previously won over at least three miles – it narrows the field right down.
This takes a bit of work, but is well worth the effort if you’re planning to have a bet on the Grand National.
And if you are planning to, it’s also worth doing so early. This means placing an ante-post bet which also means you run the risk of losing your stake entirely should you selection not take part in the race for any reason. But the prices of the leading contenders tend to get marked right down on the day with the bookmakers – so it’s often worth the risk.
It’s also worth considering making your bet on an exchange, like Betfair, for example. Here, there is no traditional bookmaker – it’s simply an exchange; a market of buyers and sellers like any other and the odds generally tend to be better (but not always so it’s worth double-checking this information first).