Until the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in 1799, the intricate details of Egyptian hieroglyphs were a mystery. Despite the numerous examples that had been found, scientists had been unable to decode the written language.

Similarly, other languages continue to defy modern attempts to decipher the contents of their written glyphs.

One mysterious example comes from one of the most puzzling locations on Earth: Easter Island.

Primarily known for the mysterious stone Moai statues across the island, the first European visitors to the island encountered another puzzle. In 1770, when…