They're evidence of extraterrestrial visitation, time travelers or lost civilizations like Atlantis - or perhaps they're here to show us that some ancient peoples were far more advanced than we think.

它们是地外文明来访、时间旅行者或者遗失文明如阿特兰蒂斯的证据——又或许是某些比我们想象还要先进的史前人类展示给我们的东西。

youdao

Some scientists think that new technology has placed us on the verge of uncovering dozens of formerly lost civilizations.

有些科学家认为新技术可以让我们迅速找到十几种消逝的文明。

youdao

"Keep in mind that he comes out of the tradition of (French author) Jules Verne, whose characters are always traveling around the world and finding lost civilizations and incredible ruins, " he continued.

CNN: Comic book hero Tintin's archaeological escapades

Ancient civilizations, and cracking the code of long-lost languages is usually the reserve of Hollywood, or a good old-fashioned book.

ENGADGET: Alt-week 27.10.12: ancient texts, super-Earths and special-ops mice