31 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing
A huge number of priceless treasures have disappeared from the historical record throughout the ages. These artifacts often go missing due to theft or under mysterious circumstances during times of war or disaster, when they can't be protected or when military forces decide to take those treasures as a trophy. Sometimes treasures are recovered, but many are still missing. Here are some lost treasure s that have never been found. A few of these artifacts are now likely destroyed but some may still exist and one day be recovered. Stolen Aztec treasure A painting of Hernando Cortez with Aztec Emperor Montezuma II. (Image credit: Photos.com via Getty Images) The Aztec Empire in Mexico was thriving in the early 16th century, but its ruler, Montezuma, met his downfall when Hernán Cortes and his fellow Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1519. They made Montezuma their pup Pet ruler, and he died in 1520 in unclear circumstances. In the face of an Aztec rebellion, Cortes and ...