5 Mysterious Features of Ancient Monuments (You Didn't Know About)

This ancient Lego-brick-like feature is the surprising secret to one of the biggest mysteries of Stonehenge.

Recent findings suggest that the ancient builders of this iconic structure were far more advanced than previously believed, particularly when it came to the methods they used to connect the massive stone slabs.

The solution, which has recently been compared to the interlocking mechanism of Lego bricks, consists of small bumps on some stones and corresponding impressions on others.

Known as a mortise and tenon joint, this mechanism is a simple yet effective method of joining two pieces of material together. It consists of a protruding tenon carved on one piece and a corresponding mortise, or cavity, on the other.

The two pieces lock together when the tenon is inserted into the mortise, creating a strong and stable connection. In Stonehenge, the builders used this technique to join the upright stones, or "sarsens," to the horizontal lintel stones that span across them.

The use of mortise and tenon joints in the construction of Stonehenge required astonishing precision and skill. The builders had to carefully measure and carve each joint to ensure a perfect fit, a task made all the more challenging by the immense size and weight of the stones. Some of the larger sarsens weigh up to 40 tons, and the lintels can reach lengths of over 10 feet.

The builders understood that a system to lock the stones together was necessary for their monument to stand the test of time and serve as their legacy...