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.

Arial photo of the Callacpuma plaza, with the stone circle at the center. Source: Toohey et al./Science Advances

15 February, 2024 - 16:45 Gary Manners

4700-year-old Megalithic Circle Discovered in the High Andes of Peru

Archaeologists have discovered a prehistoric plaza high in the Andes, known as Callacpuma stone plaza, was built nearly 5,000 years ago by ancient nomadic groups. At an elevation exceeding 3,000...

Archaeologists on site after excavations revealed several miniature pyramids in Sedeinga in Sudan. Source: Vincent Francigny / SEDAU

15 February, 2024 - 13:39 johnblack

The Mystery of the Miniature Pyramids of Sedeinga in Sudan

From the iconic pyramids of Egypt to the lesser-known discoveries in Sudan, a journey through ancient history unveils intriguing mysteries. While Egypt's pyramid monuments loom large, Sudan's...

Ancient Greek temple in Magna Graecia, modern day Segesta, Sicily. Source: Ludvig14/CC BY-SA 4.0

13 February, 2024 - 13:51 Robbie Mitchell

Magna Graecia's Legacy: The Stories of Italy’s Ancient Greek Colonies

Long before the Roman Empire came along, the Ancient Greeks controlled much of southern Italy. From the 8th to the 5th centuries BC, intrepid Greek settlers transformed this region into a mosaic of...

View at the ruins of the famous Minoan palace of Knossos, the center of the Minoan civilization and one of the largest archaeological sites in Greece. Source: GIORGOS/Adobe Stock

10 February, 2024 - 19:55 Robbie Mitchell

The Mysteries of the Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations (Video)

The ancient Mediterranean harbors mysteries that continue to intrigue historians. Beyond the well-known empires of Rome and Greece lie enigmatic civilizations like the Sea Peoples, who wielded power...

Statue of William Wallace at Aberdeen. Source: Public Domain

10 February, 2024 - 13:59 Robbie Mitchell

Beyond Braveheart – Revealing the Real William Wallace

Except for perhaps Robert the Bruce, William Wallace has to be the most famous figure in Scottish history. This legendary Scottish hero defied the odds and through his many clashes with the English...

The reconstructed Amber Room. Source: Public Domain

9 February, 2024 - 21:59 dhwty

The Majestic Amber Room that Went Missing From Charlottenburg Palace

The gleaming yellow gold hue of amber is one of nature’s wonders and one which has been sought after and admired for centuries. It is perhaps for this reason that the precious fossilized tree resin...

Woman adorned with a lei engages in the Hooponopono practice, traditional Hawaiian method of finding peace and forgiveness. Source: irissca/Adobe/Stock

8 February, 2024 - 19:55 Robbie Mitchell

The Intrigue and Mystery of Ancient Hawaii (Video)

Hawaii, known today as a popular tourist destination, conceals a deeper historical allure that predates Western influence. The archipelago, primarily volcanic, originated between forty and seventy...

Left; Cimex lectularius, bedbug. Center; Wing casings (elytra) of Oryzaephilus surinamensis found at Vindolanda. Right: Almost complete wing casing (elytron) of Aphodius sp. Source: Left; Daktaridudu/CC BY-SA 4.0, Center and Right; Katie Wyse Jackson/Vindolanda Trust

7 February, 2024 - 22:01 Gary Manners

Romans Look to Have Brought Bedbugs to Britain

In a fascinating addition to our understanding of ancient Britain, recent archaeological work at Vindolanda, a key Roman garrison south of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, has unearthed evidence...

Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing, China . Source: rabbit75_fot/Adobe Stock

7 February, 2024 - 13:53 Aleksa Vučković

Guardians of History: How the Dazu Rock Carvings Captivate the World

The Dazu Rock Carvings are a series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings located in the Dazu District of Chongqing, China. These carvings date back to the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) and the...

A mass grave of over 50 headless Vikings, known as the headless Vikings of Dorset. Source: Simon Fraser University / CC BY 2.0

6 February, 2024 - 14:15 mrreese

Unraveling the Mystery of the Headless Vikings of Dorset

In June 2009, archaeologists made a shocking discovery in the seaside town of Weymouth in Dorset, England. While excavating in preparation for the anticipated Weymouth Relief Road, archaeologists...

Bas relief at Nagsh-e-rostam showing the investiture of Ardashir I, Province du Fars, Iran. Source: Fabienkhan/CC BY-SA 2.5

5 February, 2024 - 20:10 Robbie Mitchell

The Parthian Empire: Rome’s Greatest Enemy (Video)

The Parthian Empire, successor to the Persian legacy, emerged in 238 BC, springing from the Parni tribe's conquest of Parthia in modern-day northeastern Iran. Although initially subdued by the...

Baba Vanga, attributed mystic and healer who claimed to have foreseen the future and the Cave of Bastet in Bulgaria. Source: citaty.net /CC-BY-SA-3.0, Natalya/Adobe Stock

5 February, 2024 - 16:25 Guillaume1

The Expedition Sparked by the Cryptic Tale of Baba Vanga's Prophecy

Shortly before her death, the Bulgarian prophetess Baba Vanga is said to have whispered an enigmatic prophecy: “ The time of miracles will come, and science will make great discoveries in the field...

Ancient Uçhisar Castle in Turkey. Source: Parilov / Adobe Stock

4 February, 2024 - 21:54 Aleksa Vučković

Uçhisar Castle, the Enigmatic Stone Village of Cappadocia

Uçhisar Castle stands as an iconic geological formation and historical marvel nestled in the heart of Cappadocia, Turkey. Carved into the unique landscape of the region, this fortress-like structure...

The Kiyomizu-dera Temple in autumn. Source: idmanjoe/Adobe Stock

1 February, 2024 - 18:14 Robbie Mitchell

5 Most Famous and Beautiful Japanese Temples (Video)

Explore the rich cultural tapestry of Japan through its iconic temples , each showcasing the country's enduring artistic legacy. One such marvel is the Horyu-ji Temple , standing since 607 AD as the...

The chamber under excavation. East side mould removed. The plastic tubes are samples for environmental DNA. Source: Karl-Göran Sjögren / University of Gothenburg

31 January, 2024 - 23:57 ancient origins

Missing Body Parts from 5000-Year-Old Dolmen in Sweden Poses Intriguing Questions

The first analysis results now confirm that the grave in Tiarp is one of the oldest stone burial chambers in Sweden . “It’s an early grave which dates to the Early Neolithic period, about 3500 BC,”...

A banquet in Nero’s palace, by Ulpiano Checa y Sanz. Source: Public domain

30 January, 2024 - 00:00 Joanna Gillan

Emperor Nero’s Legendary Revolving Dining Room Really Existed

While the extravagant palace of Emperor Nero , the Domus Aurea—which boasted some 300 rooms covered in dazzling polished white marble—was first rediscovered during the Renaissance, in 2009 a team of...

The last battle of the Ostrogoths and the end of their influence was fought on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in the Battle of Mons Lactarius. Painting from 1890, by Alexander Zick. Source: Captain Blood/ Public domain

28 January, 2024 - 19:52 Robbie Mitchell

Shaping European History- What Made the Goths Unique (Video)

The Goths , pioneers in military strategy, left an indelible mark on European history. Introducing cavalry to warfare, they confronted the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD, a pivotal...

Rome, Italy: The Roman Forum. Source: krivinis/Adobe Stock

27 January, 2024 - 19:57 Robbie Mitchell

Roman Origins: Did Romulus Really Found Rome? (Video)

The legendary founding of Rome revolves around two key figures, Romulus and Aeneas , whose stories intertwine with myth, geology, and archaeology. According to tradition, Romulus , saved by shepherds...

The Roman city at Silchester with grid road system and building locations map overlaid. Source: University of Reading

27 January, 2024 - 16:52 Gary Manners

Beneath Roman Britain - An Iron Age Settlement Is Revealed At Silchester

Five decades on from the start of an archaeological dig by the University of Reading, the findings of the investigation will be brought to the public, showcasing the incredible discoveries from...

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria. A sacred forest along the banks of the Osun River just outside the city of Osogbo in Osun State. Source: Oloyedejuwonlo/CC BY-SA 4.0

27 January, 2024 - 13:51 Aleksa Vučković

Osun Sacred Grove: Where A West African Spiritual Tradition Flourishes

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, located on the outskirts of Osogbo in southwestern Nigeria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural and spiritual significance. This sacred forest,...

Illustration of a great war leader commanding the vast Mongol army on horseback. Source: Kien/Adobe Stock

26 January, 2024 - 20:00 Robbie Mitchell

How Successful Was the Mongol Empire? (Video)

The Mongol Empire, at its zenith, rivaled the British Empire in territorial expanse, controlling around twelve million square miles of land. Emerging in 1279, the Mongol Empire surpassed the Roman...

The remains of the Roman triumphal arch found in Serbia. Source: Serbia Archaeological Institute.

25 January, 2024 - 13:47 Sahir

Emperor Caracalla’s Triumphal Arch Unearthed in Serbia

A lesser-known fact about Serbia is that 17 Roman emperors were born in its territory, with Central Serbia being under Roman rule for 800 years. Evidence of this history was unearthed in December,...

Temple of Athena Pronaia at Delphi in Greece. Source: Leonid Andronov/Adobe Stock

23 January, 2024 - 19:53 Robbie Mitchell

Ancient Delphi: The Center of the Universe Explained (Video)

Delphi , deemed the Omphalos or Navel of the Earth by the Ancient Greeks, stands as an extraordinary reminder of their spiritual and architectural prowess. Nestled on Mount Parnassus, it thrived...

Ayaz Kala in northern Uzbekistan was used by the Kushan Empire as a garrison. Source: bbsferrari / Adobe Stock

23 January, 2024 - 16:59 Aleksa Vučković

Pax Kushana: Uncovering the Forgotten Kushan Empire

Nestled at the very core of ancient Central Asian history lies the enigmatic Kushan Empire, a once-powerful civilization that flourished during the critical centuries of the Common Era. Stretching...

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