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Long before the internet and modern machines, ancient civilizations were doing things that still baffle scientists today. Their ingenuity and mysterious customs show that our ancestors were way ahead of their time. Here are five fascinating secrets from the past.

• The Great Pyramid Builders Were Not Slaves: Popular movies often show slaves building the pyramids, but archaeological evidence suggests they were actually highly skilled, paid laborers. They were even buried in honorable tombs near the pyramids, which would never have happened for a slave.
• Ancient Romans Used Urine as Mouthwash: Romans believed that the ammonia in urine could disinfect the mouth and whiten teeth. It was so popular that the government actually placed a tax on the collection of urine from public restrooms.
• Maya People Used Dental Bling: Over a thousand years ago, Maya men and women went to the dentist to have precious stones like jade and turquoise inlaid into their teeth. They used a strong plant-based adhesive to make sure the jewels stayed in place.
• The Antikythera Mechanism: Divers found a rusted device in a shipwreck that is now considered the world’s first analog computer. Built by the Greeks over 2,000 years ago, it was used to predict eclipses and track the movement of stars with incredible accuracy.
• Aztec Whistles of Death: The Aztecs used small clay whistles shaped like skulls that made a terrifying sound often described as the scream of a thousand corpses. They were used during ceremonies and to intimidate enemies during battle.