Top 10 Archaeological Sites And What They Used To Look Like
#10: Skara Brae
Scotland In 1850, a major storm hit the coast of the Orkney Islands of Scotland. But in its wake, a discovery was made! The rough shape of a village was uncovered– a village that dates back to the late Stone Age. This map drawn post-excavation shows a full layout of how the town was initially designed, passageways and draining systems and all. The small town contains about ten homes that had been built sunken underground in order to protect it from weather. And as you can see, that approach worked: this site is the most complete dwellings of the Neolithic era. Today, a wall surrounds Skara Brae to preserve it well into the future.
#9: Alexandria
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Egypt Founded by Alexander the Great, the port city of Alexandria is home to many fascinating ancient sites. The Pharos – or lighthouse – of Alexandria is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was one of the tallest buildings in the world for its time. By 1323 CE, the Pharos had been dismantled by a series of earthquakes– rendering it a ruin. Today, the recovered pieces from the site are a part of the Citadel of Qaitbay where the Pharos once stood. The heart of knowledge of the ancient world also once resided in this city, in the Library of Alexandria. While the tragic burning of this library robbed history of unrecoverable wisdom, a new library was built in Alexandria to honor its legacy.
#8: Angkor
Cambodia Once the capital of the Khmer Empire and known to be one of the largest religious sites in the world, Angkor Wat is a magnificent complex made up of temples. At its inception in the early 12th century, this holy place was designed to be dedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu God. This statue of Vishnu still stands in the temple, although the site became a Buddhist monument in the second half of the 12th century. Today, Angkor Wat is no longer a functioning temple, but still stands as a major tourist attraction in Cambodia.
#7: Pompeii
Italy In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted over the city of Pompeii, covering it entirely in smoke and dust. While its population didn’t survive, the ashes of the volcano preserved the remains of what Pompeii once was. Excavations of Pompeii have been ongoing for hundreds of years, and new discoveries about this site are regularly being made. This artist rendering shows what the city would have looked like before the disaster: a large open forum with a bustling city life. Now, the ruins of Pompeii can be visited by anyone who wants a closer look at this archeological marvel.
#6: The Ziggurat of Ur
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Iraq A popular Mesopotamian building, a ziggurat is a pyramid shaped structure that has steps surrounding it on all sides. One of the most well preserved to this day is this Neo-Sumerian ziggurat in what is now Dhi Qar Province, Iraq. This structure has been rebuilt twice since its original construction, but its lowest layer still has remains of its predecessor. Its first reconstruction was done under the guidance of King Nabonidus, who is now referred to as the first ever archeologist. Although extensively altered, this site is monumental in maintaining the history of Mesopotamia.
#5: Machu Picchu
Peru This Incan fortress is believed to have been designed and built during the 15th century and may have been a palace complex for ruler Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. Making use of its mountainous terrain, the population of Machu Picchu used terrace farming and an aqueduct irrigation system to harvest their crops. Even though the city itself had been abandoned, those systems were still being utilized by local Peruvian communities at the time of its popular discovery in 1911! Excavationists found Machu Picchu in beautiful condition after clearing out the overgrown vegetation that had accumulated over time. Ever since, the site has been Peru’s main tourist attraction.
#4: The Great Wall
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China At almost three thousand years old and spanning thirteen thousand miles, China’s famous fortification system is one of history’s greatest architectural accomplishments. Construction on the Great Wall began in the Qin dynasty under emperor Qin Shi Huang. Qin Shi Huang wanted to unify China’s defenses to keep out barbarian forces. The wall has undergone several additions and reconstructions– notably in the Han and Ming dynasties. The Ming dynasty lasted for 270 years, which was a time where construction on the Great Wall flourished. In current times, repairs or updates on the wall for defensive purposes have not been needed. Sections that have been maintained are done for the enjoyment and safety of visitors.
#3: Acropolis of Athens
Greece Above Athens on a limestone hill lies what once was a sacred home of temples, sanctuaries, and theaters for the ancient Greek people. The construction of the Acropolis is originally credited to Pericles, who ruled over Athens in their Golden Age, which lasted until 404 BCE. During this time, some of the most well known structures of the site were built. The Parthenon, The Temple of Athena Nike, and the Propylaea, to name a few. These buildings, along with most others on the Acropolis, have been destroyed by invaders or redesigned for religious purposes. But since 1975, restoration processes have been in progress to preserve these incredible monuments.
#2: Stonehenge
United Kingdom Arguably the world’s most mysterious archaeological site, this monument of stones in Wiltshire, England has sparked curiosity for many years. Historians and archaeologists seem to agree that Stonehenge functioned as a burial site starting around 3100 BCE. But they still scratch their heads at how such a grand prehistoric structure was constructed without technology like the wheel! Regardless of who was responsible, Stonehenge was built in phases over hundreds of years. About fifty of the stones remain today, although there were likely many more centuries ago. The intrigue surrounding this site is surely one reason for the landmark’s popularity - a million people visit Stonehenge each year! Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Leptis Magna, Libya Some of the Best Preserved Roman Architecture The Cave of Altamira, Spain Prehistoric Cave Filled With Ancient Paintings Chichén Itzá, Mexico An Ancient Mayan City, One of the New Seven Wonders of the World Tikal, Guatemala The Center of Ancient Mayan Civilization Petra, Jordan The Ruins of a Fourth Century BCE Metropolis
#1: Great Pyramid of Giza
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Egypt It’s a fact that Egypt has some of the greatest ancient monuments in the world. These include the Great Sphinx of Giza, the mythical statue dating back to Egypt’s Old Kingdom (xref). But its neighbor, the Great Pyramid, is the most intact archaeological site of the Seven Wonders of the World! The Great Pyramid of Giza was initially covered in a sleek white casing made of limestone when it was designed in the early 26th century. Over the years, this facade has faded away to reveal the stone underneath – which is how the pyramids are popularly recognized today.
