“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

Mark Twain 

Mankind has always wondered what ancient text can tell us about our past ever since the dawn of our recorded history. Over the years, many mysterious ancient manuscripts have been uncovered, and researchers who have examined these documents have found hidden secrets from the past.

Most of these secret texts are concealed in other archaeological records, and the traces of these manuscripts are usually invisible to the naked eye. The utilization of modern technology like X-rays, CT scans and multispectral imaging are often necessary for bringing the secrets of these mysterious and long-lost works to light.

 1 – Codex Selden

For decades, researchers were certain that hidden messages can be found beneath the surface of Codex Selden, which was previously lost for almost 500 years. It was only in 2016, that hyperspectral imaging finally allowed researchers to take a closer look at the surface of the precolonial Mexican manuscript, revealing hidden texts and images beneath. So far, the researchers have yet to complete scanning all the pages, and the text has not been translated, but researchers are convinced that more discoveries are to be made once the hidden messages of the Codex Selden are interpreted.

2 – Message on the watch of President Lincoln

 On the date of April 13, 1861, an Irish watchmaker named Jonathan Dillon carved out a hidden message on the pocket watch he made for Abraham Lincoln’s. The inscription made by him read: “The first gun is fired. Slavery is dead. Thank God we have a president who at least will try.”

3 – Magic Language present on the Silver Scroll

Credits: Rubina Raja

– Archaeologists discovered a small little silver armulet in the year of 2014 in an excavation site in Jordan called Jerash. The location had been occupied by Arabs, Greeks and also Romans. During an earthquake in AD 749 the whole settlement of the region was destroyed.

4 – Novgorod Codex

The most ancient known book which was made by the Rus’ people was uncovered by archeologists in an excavation site in the region of Novgorod in Russia in 2000. The three waxed wooden tablets called the Novgorod Codex has a large amount of text inscribed on it and has been called as a “hyper-palimpsest.”

5 – Mussolini’s Message for the Future

Archaeologists deciphered a message which was hidden beneath the Mussolini Obelisk in Rome. Containing the details to fascism rise of power as well as the feats of Mussolini, this parchment was buried underneath the obelisk when it was erected in 1932.

6 – Codex Zacynthius

Left:A 3rd-century AD Greek papyrus of the Gospel of Luke/Right:The underwriting is 7th-century majuscule of Luke 3:7-8 with commentary; the upper writing is 13th-century minuscule of Matthew 26:39-51, part lection for Holy Thursday

 During the year of 1861, researchers were able to detect the hidden text present in Codex Zacynthius. The Codex is known as a palimpsest. Codex Zacynthius had accounts of a Gospel of Luke of the seventh century.

7 – Robot Researcher

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The archaeologists tried using a “Djedi” robot to decipher the hidden messages of the pyramid of Giza which were no found in 4,500 years. The robot unearthed red hieroglyphics which were unknown to us previously. These messages would provide a lot of knowledge about the arrow shafts of the Great Pyramid.

8 – Hidden Euripides

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 Coming from the famed Universities of Bologna as well as Gottingen, researchers discovered details of a Greek drama of the fifth century underneath a prophetic book of 13th-century-of Old Testament. The work contained was credited to Euripides.

9 – A Jewish Graffiti which is 2,000-Year-Old

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 Construction workers were able to discover an ancient graffiti which was hidden underneath the Second Temple of the era of Jerusalem. The writing which was present in the ritual bath contained several hidden Aramaic messages.

10 – A Medieval Library which was hidden

Fragments of 12th-century manuscripts used to construct a 16th-century bookbinding in Leiden University Library. Photograph: Erik Kwakkel

 After the invention of the printing press in early 15th century, manuscripts which were handwritten became very popular. Bookbinders used to recycle most of these early tomes. The binders used these ancient papers for reinforcing the spines as well as the covers of  printed books which were more stylish in nature.

featured image: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, 16th-century painting.