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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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Asia

Ancient places can be found all over Asia. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on Asian history. Visiting such historical places in Asia 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 Asia, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

Standing man from Karahan Tepe. Source: Turkish Ministry of Culture

Karahan Tepe’s Remarkable Underworld Encounters Captivate Historians

Karahan Tepe, located close to its better known relative Göbekli Tepe in southeast Turkey, was first acknowledged in 1997 but remained unexcavated until 2019. Both sites, including several others,...
Selection of the recent discoveries made at Karahan Tepe and Göbekli Tepe in Turkey. Source: Author provided

New Statues and Fresh Insights from Karahan Tepe and Göbekli Tepe

Remarkable new discoveries are coming out of the ground in southeast Turkey, bringing both Gobekli Tepe (9600 BC) and Karahan Tepe (9400 BC) back into the spotlight. Located just 23 miles (37 km)...
Jwala Ji Temple, India. Source: Nswn03 / CC by SA 3.0.

India’s Jwala Ji Temple Has a Flame That Has Been Burning for Over 100 Years

In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh lies a marvel that eloquently blends natural phenomenon with spiritual fervor – the Jwala Ji Temple , famed for its eternal flame. Home to a so-called eternal...
Babylonian lions. Source: Zzvet / Adobe Stock.

Why These Brick Lions That Once Protected Babylon Feel Alive (Video)

The brick lions that once guarded Babylon's streets hold a unique vitality. These imposing creatures, sculpted from individual bricks, bear a profound significance. In contrast to our contemporary...
Zhou Dynasty Emperor’s tomb was uncovered in China, belonging to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Source: CASS

Stacked 1,400-Year-Old Zhou Dynasty Emperor’s Tomb Uncovered in China

Archaeologists in Shaanxi Province, northwest China, have discovered the tomb of Emperor Xiaomin (birth name Yuwen Jue), the founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581). Emperor Xiaomin's...
Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem. Source: andyross / Adobe Stock.

Is This the World's Most Contested Religious Site? (Video)

In Jerusalem's Old City lies the Alexa mosque within the Dome of the Rock, a site of profound religious significance. For Jews, it's the Temple Mount , while for Muslims, it's the noble sanctuary...
Relief carving of Assyrian king Ashurnasirpal II (r. ca. 883-859 BC). Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art / Public Domain.

Realism in Ancient Mesopotamian Relief Carvings (Video)

In the domain of ancient Mesopotamian art, the reliefs from Ashurnasirpal II's palace reign supreme. These monumental creations , though dispersed far and wide by Henry Austen Layard, possess a...
The temples of Bagan, Myanmar. Source: Painting Cat / Adobe Stock.

Restoring The 11th Century Temples of Bagan (Videos)

Myanmar's ambitious endeavor to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for the 11th-century temples of Bagan signals a significant commitment to preserving this invaluable cultural heritage site...
Tell es-Sultan in Jericho is an archaeological site that traces its origins to around 12,000 BC

UN Heritage Listing in Palestine Sparks Israeli Discontent

At a recent UN conference, the 12,000-year-old Tell es-Sultan archaeological site near Jericho, on the West Bank, was listed as a World Heritage Site “in Palestine.” This decision angered Israeli...
Ezekiel’s Tomb. Credit: David Stanley / Flickr.

Ezekiel's Tomb: Transcending Religious Boundaries (Video)

Ezekiel's Tomb , nestled beside the meandering rivers of Babylon in Al Kifl, Iraq , is a testament to the convergence of history, faith, and the enduring human spirit. This 14th-century shrine,...
Men visiting Okinoshima Island must be naked.  Source: Kapawtord / Adobe Stock.

Only Men Can Visit Okinoshima Island in Japan and They Must Strip Naked First

In the rich tapestry of the world’s ancient history, there stands a mysterious island steeped in ritual and reverence – Okinoshima. Nestled between the islands of Kyushu and Honshu in Japan,...
Circular homes in Tulou, China. Source: bzebois / Adobe Stock.

Tulou, China’s Ancient Circular Walled Homes (Video)

China's Ancient Circular Walled Homes, known as Tulou in Fujian, China, are remarkable examples of architectural ingenuity and communal living. These structures, designated as UNESCO World Heritage...
Reconstruction of the ancient Babylon Ishtar gate. Source: pop_gino / Adobe Stock.

Babylon: Ancient Site, Modern Problems (Video)

Amidst the challenges brought on by years of conflict, Iraq's historic treasures, like Babylon , are gradually receiving attention once more. The ancient city, once the capital of King Nebuchadnezzar...
The Hanging Gardens of the Chaldean Dynasty of Mesopotamia. Source: Sarry/Adobe Stock

The Chaldean Dynasty and the Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire

Empires are formed and fall, dynasties rise to prominence and crumble in poverty and ruin, ethnicities disappear from the fate of the Earth - these are the inevitable aspects of the histories of...
Part of the Great Wall of China that has been damaged.        Source: Youyu Public Security Bureau

Workers Who Ripped Shortcut Through China’s Great Wall Detained

Two construction workers arrived at an opening in the Great Wall of China, but their excavator was too big to pass through. Rather than traveling further and going around, the pair ripped apart the...
Dancer at a traditional Theyyam ceremony, India. Source: Dietmar Temps / Adobe Stock.

How Artists Are Keeping the Ancient Practice of Theyyam Alive (Video)

In Kerala , a state nestled in the southern part of India, the age-old tradition of Theyyam persists, defying the relentless march of time. This ritualistic form of worship, deeply ingrained in the...
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. Source: lizavetta / Adobe Stock.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple: The 700-Year-Old Temple of Colors (Video)

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in southern India is an exceptional record of history, offering a window into the past that extends across 700 years. The temple's striking exterior is a melange of...
Khanjar dagger. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Great Big Story.

A Master Craftsman Makes the Perfect Dagger (Video)

In Oman , the possession of a khanjar is a matter of tradition and pride for men. These curved daggers , tracing their origins to the 16th or 17th century, have evolved from mere weapons to exquisite...
Chand Baori stepwell, India. Source: Nicola / Adobe Stock.

Get Lost in the Maze-Like Stepwell of Chand Baori (Video)

The Chand Baori is an architectural marvel that stands out even in a country renowned for its historic wonders. Dating back to the 9 th century AD, this massive stepwell is not just a mere functional...
Harput Castle, Elazig, Turkey.            Source: CC BY-SA 3.0

2500-Year-Old Technology and an Ancient Kitchen Unearthed at Harput Castle

Harput Castle has long stood as an emblem of Anatolia's rich tapestry of history. A gem nestled in Turkey's landscape, its enigmatic walls and remnants have many tales to tell, and recent excavations...
Indigo dye. Source: Thirawatana / Adobe Stock.

The Link Between Japanese Samurai and Real Indigo (Video)

Within the captivating tapestry of Japanese history , a fascinating link emerges between Samurai culture and the realm of real indigo. Tucked away in Tokushima, Japan, a region steeped in tradition,...
Mount Huashan Teahouse, Mount Hua, China. Source: Victor / Adobe Stock.

The Journey to the World’s Most Remote Teahouse (Video)

To savor the simple pleasure of a cup of tea at the Huashan Teahouse on Mount Hua , a journey of determination awaits. The odyssey commences with a 20-minute cable car ascent, granting breathtaking...
Drukpa Order Kung Fu Nuns. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Great Big Story.

The Buddhist Drukpa Order- Kung Fu Nuns (Video)

In a realm where dedication knows no bounds, a group of remarkable nuns has emerged as a symbol of empowerment. This unique nunnery in Nepal boasts an empowering claim to fame—it stands as the only...
Guang bing Chinese bagel. Source: Kenishirotie / Adobe Stock.

How a 500-Year-Old Chinese ‘Bagel’ Helped Win a War (Video)

Today bagels are a staple snack for many of us, but did you know that hundreds of years ago a Chinese variation helped win a war? This remarkable creation, known as the guang-bing, holds the key to...

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