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Ancient Places

Ancient places can be found all over the world. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and visiting such ancient places in the world can be an unforgettable experience.

Science is constantly discovering new archaeological places and uncovering more evidence into what we once thought we knew about our history, therefore offering new pieces to the ever changing puzzle of humanity’s past and altering how we interpret it. This section will present the most interesting archaeological sites all over the world, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

Colosseum underground. Source:  Lukasz Janyst / Adobe Stock.

Beneath the Arena: A Journey Through the Colosseum’s Subterranean World (Video)

In 83 AD, Emperor Domitian ordered a major renovation of the Colosseum in Rome to create a hypogeum , a vast labyrinth beneath the arena floor. With the help of skilled master builder Haterius and...
Beltane pagan celebration. Source: Karrrtinki / Adobe Stock.

5 Pagan Traditions That Will Leave You Spellbound (Video)

Beltane is an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of summer and the renewal of life. The pagan traditions associated with it have survived through the centuries, with many still...
Underwater archaeologists during excavations of the sunken Nabatean temple. Source: The Ministry of Culture of Italy

Submerged Secrets: Sunken Nabatean Temple Discovered Off Italian Coast

Underwater archaeologists searching just off the western Mediterranean coast of the city of Pozzuoli in central Italy discovered the remains of a submerged 2,000-year-old Nabatean temple dedicated to...
An assassin holding a falchion sword. Source: jaysen / Adobe Stock.

Blood on the Blade: The Deadly Efficiency of the Falchion (Video)

In the realm of medieval weaponry, few weapons were as brutally efficient as the falchion . A curved sword with a wide blade that tapered towards the tip, the falchion was designed to deliver maximum...
Sinister Secret of the Shang Dynasty: Its Penchant for Human Sacrifice

Sinister Secret of the Shang Dynasty: Its Penchant for Human Sacrifice

There is no denying the far-reaching and unique history of ancient China. Thousands of years before our time, the ancient dynasties and cultures of China excelled in a variety of arts and...
Remains of columns at the Cave di Cusa quarry in Sicily. (Davide Mauro / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Hidden Gems of Sicily: The Abandoned Temple Columns of Cave di Cusa

If someone told you that you could effortlessly travel back in time to classical antiquity, you would think that they were crazy, right? But at Cave di Cusa, in Sicily, this is actually possible...
Wooden barrels used in Japanese soy sauce production. Source:  TeTsumi / Adobe Stock.

Why Only 1% of Japan’s Soy Sauce is Made the Traditional Way (Video)

Soy sauce is a ubiquitous ingredient in Japanese cuisine , adding flavor and complexity to dishes from sushi to ramen. But did you know that only 1% of Japan's soy sauce is made the traditional way?...
Underwater archaeologist exploring the ancient remains of Baiae. Source: Naumacos / Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park

Stunning Roman Villas Unearthed in Underwater Ruins of Ancient Baiae

Underwater archaeologists working in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Naples, off Italy’s western coast, recently discovered the ruins of spectacular Roman villas. Built 2,000 years ago, or possibly...
The Bansa, or residence of the King of Kongo, and capital of the Kingdom of Kongo was called St. Salvador or Mbanza-Kongo, seen here in 1745. (Public domain)

The Rise and Fall of Central Africa’s Mighty Kingdom of Kongo

Nestled between the Congo River and the Atlantic Ocean lies a hidden gem of African history: the Kingdom of Kongo. Despite its vast territory spanning modern-day Angola, Congo and Gabon, this...
An aristocrat's Robe shows the dragon with 5 claws. (Tibet Metropolitan Museum of Art/CC0)

The Search for Z: Colonel Percy Fawcett’s Obsession with the Golden City (Video)

The legend of El Dorado has captivated the imaginations of explorers , adventurers, and treasure hunters for centuries. But for Colonel Percy Fawcett , it was more than just a myth. He believed in...
IMAGE Upload an image to go with this article. Show row weights FILE INFORMATION	OPERATIONS   Image icon Palestinian-Pottery.png (1.05 MB) Alternate text

Resisting the Odds: The Inspiring Story of Gaza’s Pottery Artisans (Video)

For decades, the people of Gaza have faced immense challenges as a result of the ongoing armed conflict and political turmoil in the region. Despite the adversity, however, there are those who have...
Researchers stand where massive timber pillars once stood to give a perspective on the size of the site of the home of Prince Toneri in Nara.            Source: Nara City Board of Education/Asahi

Residence of 8th Century Japanese Prince Toneri Uncovered

Archaeologists in Japan excavated a site ahead of a new apartment building project. Little did they know they were digging into the spectacular home of the 8th century AD Prince Toneri! Located in...
Ancient city of Babylon. Source: Berit Kessler / Adobe Stock.

The Monumental Fall of Babylon: What Really Shattered the Empire? (Video)

The fall of Babylon was one of the most momentous events in ancient history. The conquest of Babylon by the Achaemenid Empire, led by Cyrus the Great , marked the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire...
Aerial view of Sigiriya, Lion Rock, Sri Lanka. Source: Anton Petrus / Adobe Stock.

The Ancient Rock City of Sigiriya: Fit for a King and Built by the Gods

Rising majestically 650 feet (200m) above the Sri Lankan landscape, Sigiriya is an ancient city built on a megalithic rock that has puzzled visitors for centuries. This remote wonder, located in the...
Pirate Port facing the sea. Source: Xilon/Adobe Stock

Pirate Havens: 8 of the Most Notorious Pirate Strongholds

Pirates have captured our imagination for centuries with their tales of adventure, daring raids, and hidden treasure. From the Caribbean to the South China Sea, pirates have prowled the high seas,...
Xuazang crossed the Gobi Desert and through Central Asia. Source: peerasit/By Adobe Stock

Suited for Battle: The Elaborate Ritual of Donning Medieval Knight Armor (Video)

In the Middle Ages, donning armor was an essential part of preparing for battle . The process of putting on armor was a ritual that required time, effort, and assistance from squires. The medieval...
The Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan undergoing imaging to reveal the hidden text. Source: Lumiere Technology/Pascal Cotte and Salvatore Apicella

The Families Preserving Vietnam’s Traditional Dong Ho Art Folk Art (Video)

Dong Ho, a traditional Vietnamese folk art, almost met its demise due to the ravages of war . Once a staple in home decor during the Vietnamese New Year , the intricate paintings were nearly lost to...
Moses parting the Red Sea. (pozitivo / Adobe Stock)

Why Mount Sinai is in Egypt and Other Exodus Enigmas

Historians have dedicated significant efforts to authenticating the biblical narratives of the Exodus. Despite their best efforts, the actual locations of the events described in the account remain...
Medieval peasant. Source: master1305 / Adobe Stock.

What did Medieval Peasants Eat? (Video)

Picture a medieval knight , weary from a long day's ride on his trusty steed, arriving at a humble roadside inn. As he dismounts and enters the rustic establishment, he's greeted by the aromas of...
Sari weaving. Source: ananaline / Adobe Stock.

The Sari Weavers Keeping a 16th Century Craft Alive (Video)

In the narrow alleys of Varanasi , India, a group of skilled artisans are keeping an ancient craft alive through their nimble fingers and artistic vision. They are the sari weavers , who continue to...
Amazing African elephant with dust and sand and large ivory tusks. Source: byrdyak/Adobe Stock

Blood-Stained Ivory: The Dark History of the Trade in Elephant Tusks

The ivory trade is a story as old as human civilization, filled with tales of adventure, greed, and exploitation. For millennia, ivory has been prized for its beauty, rarity, and versatility, making...
Harvesting açaí berry in the Amazon jungle. Source: Imago Photo / Adobe Stock.

The People Who Risk Their Lives to Harvest Açaí (Video)

Deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest , there is a fruit that locals have been harvesting for centuries: the açaí berry. Despite its relatively recent discovery in the Western world, the açaí...
Onggi pottery vessels for making kimchi. Source: MIN CHEOL KIM / Adobe Stock.

How Master Potters Keep a 7000-Year-Old Kimchi Tradition Alive (Video)

Kimchi , the spicy and tangy fermented vegetable dish that has been a staple of Korean cuisine for over 7000 years, is more than just a food - it is a symbol of cultural identity and heritage. And...
Was Stonehenge a giant calendar, or not? Source: Pawel Pajor / Adobe Stock

Disrupting Dogmatic History - Stonehenge Wasn’t a Calendar!

A study conducted by a pair of physicists has criticized past research which claimed that Stonehenge was created to function like a giant calendar. They assert that astronomical associations...

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