Do you want to believe?
Not every American mystery has been solved. Did you know about these 12?
Image: Sonya Romanovska
America has its share of baffling mysteries. From strange sounds and lights to puzzling artifacts and cryptic codes, many oddities keep historians, scientists, and everyday folks wondering. Have you heard of these 12 fascinating unsolved mysteries in and around the U.S.?
1
The Beale Ciphers - Virginia
In the early 1800s, three coded papers surfaced, said to reveal the location of a hidden treasure in Virginia . Only one cipher (the second) has been partially decoded using the Declaration of Independence, pointing to a stash of gold, silver, and jewels.
Treasure hunters and cryptographers have tried for decades to crack the remaining ciphers. Yet, so far, no one has succeeded.
2
The Georgia Guidestones - Georgia
Erected in 1980, the granite monument carried inscriptions in multiple languages , laying out guidelines for humanity’s future. The massive slabs earned the nickname "America’s Stonehenge."
The mystery lies in who commissioned it. The sponsor used a pseudonym and never revealed their identity. Too bad they were destroyed in 2022 after being damaged by an explosion.
3
The "Wow!" Signal - Ohio, 1977
One night in 1977, Ohio State University’s Big Ear telescope picked up a deep-space radio burst lasting 72 seconds . Astronomer Jerry Ehman circled it and wrote "Wow!" beside the data.
The signal has never been definitively explained. Whether it was a passing comet, a reflection, or something else, no one knows.
4
Roanoke Colony’s "CROATOAN" - North Carolina
In the late 1500s, settlers on Roanoke Island disappeared, leaving only the word "CROATOAN" carved on wood . Their fate remains one of the earliest American mysteries.
Some think they merged with local tribes, while others suggest they relocated. Without proof, the vanished colony remains a puzzle historians love to revisit.
5
The Taos Hum - New Mexico
Since the 1990s, some residents of Taos report hearing a low, steady humming sound . It’s described like a distant diesel engine idling in the desert.
Some studies suggest it may be related to low-frequency industrial noise or tinnitus in some individuals. The reality is, scientists have studied the phenomenon but haven’t pinned down a cause.
6
Marfa Lights - Texas
Out in West Texas, glowing orbs have appeared on the horizon for generations . They shimmer, split, and move in ways that seem inexplicable.
Tourists flock to Marfa hoping to catch a glimpse. Some suggest car headlights or atmospheric tricks, but the mystery remains.
7
Bloop-Like Ocean Sounds - Pacific Ocean
In the 1990s, NOAA hydrophones picked up a booming, low-frequency sound in the Pacific Ocean . Nicknamed "the Bloop," it was louder than known whale calls.
Theories ranged from icequakes to giant sea life. NOAA later concluded the sound was likely caused by large icequakes from Antarctic ice breaking apart.
8
The Upton Chamber - Massachusetts
Hidden in Massachusetts is a stone tunnel leading to a small underground chamber . Its age and purpose are still debated.
Some believe it was a colonial root cellar, while others argue it predates settlers entirely. Without records, the chamber remains an enigmatic piece of New England history.
9
America’s Stonehenge - New Hampshire
This site features stone walls, chambers, and standing slabs . Some argue it was built by Native Americans, while others see evidence of pre-Columbian visitors.
While some alternative theories suggest ancient origins, most archaeologists believe the structures are from the colonial-era. Whatever its origin, it’s a fascinating stop for curious travelers.
10
The Great Serpent Mound - Ohio
In southern Ohio lies a massive prehistoric earthwork shaped like a winding serpent . Stretching over 1,300 feet, it curves and coils across the landscape in striking detail.
Scholars agree it was built by Indigenous peoples, but its purpose is unclear. Some suggest it was a ceremonial site or calendar, while others see cosmic symbolism.
11
The Blythe Intaglios - California
Etched into the Colorado Desert, these giant figures depict humans and animals , some over 170 feet long. They’re best seen from the air, raising questions about how and why they were made.
Created centuries ago by Native Americans, their exact age and purpose remain uncertain.
12
Judaculla Rock - North Carolina
This large boulder is carved with hundreds of mysterious petroglyphs . Shapes, lines, and symbols cover its surface, their meanings long lost to time.
The Cherokee connect the markings to Judaculla, a legendary giant. Whether the rock was a sacred site, a map, or something else, the exact meanings of many carvings remain unknown.
