13 Artifacts Humanity Lost In The Dumbest Ways

Some of the most valuable artifacts in history have been destroyed in the most jaw-droppingly stupid ways. Take, for example, the library of Alexandria. This ancient institution was once home to over 700,000 scrolls, making it one of the largest and most important libraries in the world. But it was all for naught because, in 48 B.C.E., Julius Caesar accidentally set fire to the library while siege warfare raged outside its walls. All those priceless scrolls were turned to ash in a matter of hours.

Or consider the case of the Colossus of Rhodes. This bronze statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and for a good reason - it was an absolutely massive sculpture that towered over the city of Rhodes. But in 226 B.C.E., an earthquake knocked the Colossus down, and it lay in ruins for centuries before being sold for scrap metal by Byzantine Emperor Constans II. So much for preserving history...

These are just two examples of countless artifacts that have been needlessly destroyed over the years. It's a shame that so much history has been lost forever due to such stupidity.