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.

Chinese empress. Source: dreampicturestud / Adobe Stock.

27 October, 2023 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

How a Chinese Empress Built the Largest Palace in the World (Video)

In 662 AD, as Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty’s health waned, Empress Wu Zetian quietly assumed the reins of power, navigating a realm dominated by men. Wu's ambition knew no bounds, and she...

Aerial view of Lake Tere-Khol and Por-Bajin island, the Siberian fortress. Source: Por Bajin Cultural Foundation

25 October, 2023 - 14:59 Joanna Gillan

1,300-Year-Old Fortress Ruins on Siberian Lake Mystifies Experts

It is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in Russia – an ancient complex engulfing a small island in the center of a remote lake in the mountains of southern Siberia. At first glance, it...

The Magnificent Ishtar Gate of Babylon

16 October, 2023 - 15:16 Joanna Gillan

The Magnificent Ishtar Gate of Babylon

The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate of the city of Babylon (in present day Iraq) and was the main entrance into the great city. It was a sight to behold; the gate was covered in lapis lazuli glazed...

The Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi. Source: Bikashrd / CC by SA 4.0.

6 October, 2023 - 18:55 Joanna Gillan

The Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi Defies Gravity in Indian Temple

In the heart of Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh, India, lies a marvel of ancient Indian architecture that has puzzled both historians and architects alike – a temple with a pillar that doesn’t completely...

Promotional image for Assassins Creed Mirage. Source: Ubisoft

5 October, 2023 - 22:52 ancient origins

What the New Assassin’s Creed Game Tells Us About Ninth-Century Baghdad

By Glaire Anderson / The Conversation Gamers the world over will be familiar with the incredibly detailed historic cityscapes the Assassin’s Creed franchise has produced so far. Following earlier...

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

4 October, 2023 - 22:57 Alistair

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

2 October, 2023 - 18:54 Hugh Newman

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.

30 September, 2023 - 22:55 Joanna Gillan

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.

28 September, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

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

27 September, 2023 - 22:51 Sahir

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.

26 September, 2023 - 16:58 Robbie Mitchell

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.

25 September, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

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.

21 September, 2023 - 16:57 Robbie Mitchell

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

18 September, 2023 - 22:58 ashley cowie

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.

17 September, 2023 - 20:57 Robbie Mitchell

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.

16 September, 2023 - 22:53 Joanna Gillan

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.

16 September, 2023 - 16:51 Robbie Mitchell

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.

16 September, 2023 - 01:58 Robbie Mitchell

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

15 September, 2023 - 14:55 Aleksa Vučković

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

13 September, 2023 - 14:55 ashley cowie

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.

10 September, 2023 - 21:03 Robbie Mitchell

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.

4 September, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

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.

31 August, 2023 - 18:54 Robbie Mitchell

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.

29 August, 2023 - 20:55 Joanna Gillan

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...

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