![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JJJTBDQX3RCZVHJGB77U63FQ3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=585ae06eaffc91020241ccebc0b3281b37d80757c21b194e514d7bdfd401a03a&width=400&height=225)
The Voynich Manuscript is one of the most mysterious books in the world. The document is believed to have been written six centuries ago in an unknown or coded language that no one has ever cracked. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JXLYPVR4NA7DEESUHU6PLMX5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c805d3f6a499e75b86bc24c4874460fdafd8c5d0c6ef2f4cdf110f1206e910bc&width=400&height=225)
Three out of the four "Kryptos" sculptures created by James Sanborn and installed at the CIA headquarters in Virginia, USA, have been solved. The contents of the fourth remains a mystery. Photo: Jim Sanborn
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5ZFBYML6AVBJBJKUA4WBBLNNV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=401d33ee2d41d8c226fca96baa67e4b80060159c87c3c1ae45559f0ed5c33d09&width=400&height=225)
The "Tamam Shud" case has baffled cryptologists since 1948, when the body of a still unidentified man was found on Somerset Beach in Australia. Photo: Australian Police, Wikimedia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7E7TSQNYUNEQLBBLUJE2SFEL5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=3705c80dece83d63c533a65610794c658e4683122443ff4d3163a4a24dabebf1&width=400&height=225)
Famous English composer, Edward Elgar created the Dorabella Cipher in 1897, which has yet to be solved. Photo: Supplied
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6EBVHA37TZE2FF3ROSCNSKOCPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7aa22e091a1ba57d284628a3fabc9811c8297247040b4cd5ee7e2e2f33adf4d3&width=400&height=225)
The discovery of a World War II code carried by a military carrier pigeon, stumped the analysts at Britain's WWII code-breaking headquarters, Bletchley Park. Photo: Supplied
The Beale Cipher's first cryptogram detailing the supposed location of $43 million worth of buried treasure has never been cracked. Photo: Supplied
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JJJTBDQX3RCZVHJGB77U63FQ3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=585ae06eaffc91020241ccebc0b3281b37d80757c21b194e514d7bdfd401a03a&width=400&height=225)
The Voynich Manuscript is one of the most mysterious books in the world. The document is believed to have been written six centuries ago in an unknown or coded language that no one has ever cracked. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3JXLYPVR4NA7DEESUHU6PLMX5M.jpg?smart=true&auth=c805d3f6a499e75b86bc24c4874460fdafd8c5d0c6ef2f4cdf110f1206e910bc&width=400&height=225)
Three out of the four "Kryptos" sculptures created by James Sanborn and installed at the CIA headquarters in Virginia, USA, have been solved. The contents of the fourth remains a mystery. Photo: Jim Sanborn
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5ZFBYML6AVBJBJKUA4WBBLNNV4.jpg?smart=true&auth=401d33ee2d41d8c226fca96baa67e4b80060159c87c3c1ae45559f0ed5c33d09&width=400&height=225)
The "Tamam Shud" case has baffled cryptologists since 1948, when the body of a still unidentified man was found on Somerset Beach in Australia. Photo: Australian Police, Wikimedia
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7E7TSQNYUNEQLBBLUJE2SFEL5U.jpg?smart=true&auth=3705c80dece83d63c533a65610794c658e4683122443ff4d3163a4a24dabebf1&width=400&height=225)
Famous English composer, Edward Elgar created the Dorabella Cipher in 1897, which has yet to be solved. Photo: Supplied
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6EBVHA37TZE2FF3ROSCNSKOCPM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7aa22e091a1ba57d284628a3fabc9811c8297247040b4cd5ee7e2e2f33adf4d3&width=400&height=225)
The discovery of a World War II code carried by a military carrier pigeon, stumped the analysts at Britain's WWII code-breaking headquarters, Bletchley Park. Photo: Supplied
The Beale Cipher's first cryptogram detailing the supposed location of $43 million worth of buried treasure has never been cracked. Photo: Supplied
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JJJTBDQX3RCZVHJGB77U63FQ3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=585ae06eaffc91020241ccebc0b3281b37d80757c21b194e514d7bdfd401a03a&width=400&height=225)
The Voynich Manuscript is one of the most mysterious books in the world. The document is believed to have been written six centuries ago in an unknown or coded language that no one has ever cracked. AFP
Six secret codes that remain unsolved: from buried treasure to 15th-century manuscripts
From the location of buried gold and a Second World War code to a sculpture that has stumped the CIA, these famous ciphers and puzzles remain unsolved
Gemma White
05 June, 2022
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic