Have you ever heard of ancient foods – Moai, Machu Picchu, Volubulis, Petra, Angkor Wat, and Olympia? Mentioning ancient ruins, bring into our mind ancient cultures, a ‘must-see’ site, and, a crowded place. Things like civil wars, natural disasters, and under-maintenance among others contribute greatly to the falling of these amazing sites.
Historians, as well as archeologists, obtain their wealth of knowledge from these ruins. They are in constant exploration of the idea of architecture employed by early men. Tourists find great pleasure in visiting these sites. And therefore, this article covers the top ten ruins of ancient times. The information in it is helpful as your touring interest might be aroused at including one of them in your next visiting list.
10. Chichen Itza, Mexico
Outstanding architectural work of the olden days is the backbone of these ancient monuments. And Chichen Itza’s Kukulkan Pyramid has it all. It was perfectly designed so that during the equinox of autumn, snake-like shadows are cast on the pyramid’s stairway.
Tourists crowd this archeological site just to have a glimpse at the amazing outcome of engineering work that took place years ago.
9. Caral-Supe City, Peru
To the north of Lima, in a desert proximal to River Supe, lies this beautiful monument. It measures about 155 acres and is about 5000 years old.
UNESCO recognizes it as one of the World Heritage sites since 2009. A visit here provides an ideal scenery of plazas which are circular and sunken, high-walled temples and stone residences.
8. Ethiopia’s Aksum, Ethiopia
Set up by the Kingdom of Aksum, this ruin is found in the northern part of Ethiopia. It concurred for nearly a thousand years. Royal tombs, obelisks, and palace leftovers make up the ruins of this monument.
One of its tallest and most carved obelisks stands tall about 60 feet. Soldiers of Italy, upon bringing an obelisk, took care of it and thus protected it from looting.
It at one time, served as a center of Christianity in olden Africa. Languages such as Sabena, Greek, and Ge’ez, can be seen engraved on the stone tablets in it.
7. Olympia, Greece
Today Olympia is so much associated with sports once served as one of the seven wonders of the world. A gold and ivory statue was erected in it which unfortunately is gone in this sanctuary.
It began and served as a religious spot. The four-yearly Olympic games held in it traces their root deep in 776 B.C.E as rituals could be performed to god Zeus.
Earthquakes and the Roman war are the main causes of the demolition of the ruins. Nonetheless, at the gymnasium are strong standing columns.
6. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Talking of a throwback to the Empire of Khmer, this large religious ruin comes in handy. Between 802 to 1431 AD, the coalition government of Hindus and Buddhists ruled Asia towards the Southeast of it. And this structure entirely depicts the Hindu temple.
Besides hosting nearly 50 temples, the Wat is visited year-round for bearing a conducive spiritual atmosphere. No wonder the direct translation of Angkor Wat is City of Temples.
Cambodia boasts of it as its main attraction to tourists and embeds these temples on its flag. Today UNESCO and other conservation organizations, have put in great measures to ensure that the Wat is restored.
5. Athen’s Acropolis, Greece
This monument has architectural great cultural values in Greece. The Greek Goddess Athena was so revered that this building was specifically dedicated to her.
This site has survived the Herculian raid, and Venetian attack, among other several damages. It became a world site of heritage in 1987.
Alongside it are other acropolis including Erechtheion (dedicated to Poseidon and Athena), Parthenon, and Propylaea which you will have to go through as you enter Athens’ acropolis.
4. Petra, Jordan
Between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, lies Petra, a beautiful site of archeology. The city had its foundation in 312 BCE and was abandoned.
Thanks to Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, the Swiss explorer, for having it rediscovered in 1812. In its buildings and caves, lies tunnels, channels, tombs, and temples.
During its reign, travelers used it as a center of caravan. Besides its good water conservation and distribution, it has in it numerous tombs such as Urn Tomb buried in it King Malchus II’s body, the Silk tomb, and the Corinthian tomb.
3. Volubilis, Morocco
This old ruin was badly destroyed by an earthquake in the 19th century after being in life for about 700 years. The Berbers having established their rule founded it and the Romans later used it as their outpost.
Most of Volubilis’ walls were constructed using mud bricks and stones and that has seen them survive bad climate, isolation, and abandonment. You will find the House of Orpheus fascinating as much of the excavation to make it residential has taken place in it.
2. Machu Picchu, Peru
Archeologists believe that it was founded in 1450 and abandoned in 1572. As one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Incan possesses an amazing ancient culture.
And a hard trek to its top through its so-referred to as ‘lost cities’, will offer you insight into the inhabitants here. To gain the best view of the agricultural activities of Machu Picchu, one will need to hike on the Trail of Inca.
Your view will include the urban, and religious areas, and the Intihuatana stone, which is vital in predicting the equinoxes.
1. Moai, Easter Island, Chile
On the eastern island of Polynesia, there is Moai, the most sculpture of fascination. This sculpture is quarry rock-carved, a Rapanui representation of their ancestors.
Their construction happened in the 10th and 15th centuries, with varying heights of 7 feet to 60. An ardent historian, to make it here will need to prepare his mind psychologically for a lone and remote island.
The loneliness in it may have made ancient inhabitants to be artisans of rock houses and caves. Thanks, it is inhabited which will make the visit here adventurous.
Bottomline
Brilliant construction building ideas can be borrowed from these ancient ruins. Tourists and adventurous can have a fascination of their own kind upon paying a visit to these places.
And religious people can as well enjoy visiting them. The list of ancient ruins is long, but this article helped to sample just the top ten of them.