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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.

Buddhist stupa at Mes Aynak, Afghanistan (Jerome Starkey / CC by SA 2.0)

Mes Aynak: Afghanistan's Buddhist City Threatened by Chinese Mining (Video)

Mes Aynak , located about 40 kilometers southeast of Kabul, Afghanistan, is an extraordinary archaeological site with a history dating back over 2,000 years. This ancient Buddhist city, nestled...
Vietnam water puppets. Source: Kalyakan / Adobe Stock.

Tourism Keeps Vietnam's Ancient Water Puppets Afloat (Video)

Vietnam's water puppet tradition is a captivating art form that has been cherished for centuries. Originating in the rice paddies of the Red River Delta, this unique cultural expression dates back to...
Petra, Jordan. Source: kanuman / Adobe Stock.

Petra: Where History and Beauty Converge (Video)

Petra is an ancient city located in present-day Jordan, renowned for its breathtaking architecture carved into the rose-red cliffs and its historical significance. The history of Petra dates back...
Thai Tattoo Master makes Sak Yant tattoo. Source: Denis / Adobe Stock.

Sak Yant: Foreigners Drawn to Ancient Thai Tattoo Masters (Video)

The ancient art of 'sak yant,' traditional Thai tattoos , has long been cherished by locals for its spiritual significance. In recent times, however, an increasing number of foreigners are drawn to...
Preserved hairy mammoth. Source: YouTube Screenshot / BBC.

The Perfectly Preserved Yuka Wooly Mammoth Mummy (Video)

The perfectly preserved mummified Yuka Mammoth Mummy is a remarkable archaeological discovery that has captivated the world with its exceptional state of preservation. Unearthed from the permafrost...
A Muslim and a Jew inside a Jewish synagogue in Kolkata, India. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Atlas Obscura.

The Muslims Preserving Kolkata's Last Jewish Synagogues (Video)

In the vibrant city of Kolkata, India, a heartening and harmonious interfaith tradition is flourishing as Muslim caretakers diligently preserve the last remaining Jewish synagogues . This unique...
Ancient temples in Bagan, Myanmar. Source: Kalyakan / Adobe Stock.

Myanmar’s Bagan Temple City Faces Modern Threats (Video)

Myanmar's ancient temple city, Bagan , with its mesmerizing array of over 3,000 temples, stands as a testament to its rich history dating back to the 11th and 13th centuries. However, amidst this...
Living root bridge of Meghalaya. Source: Mazur Travel / Adobe Stock.

The Incredible Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya (Video)

In the lush landscapes of Meghalaya, a captivating engineering tradition endures, preserving ancient wisdom for future generations. The people here have mastered the art of living root bridges, an...
Bamiyan caves in Afghanistan. Source: trentinness / Adobe Stock.

Bamiyan's Ancient Cave Dwellings Shelter Homeless Afghans (Video)

The caves of Bamiyan, originally carved by Buddhist monks nearly 2,000 years ago, now offer refuge to a significant number of homeless Afghans. These historic caves , nestled within the cliffs of...
Aerial view of Wat Sam Phran the Dragon temple in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. Source: pierrick / Adobe Stock.

Inside the Beast: Wat Samphran's Dragon Tower (Video)

Hidden away from the typical tourist circuit, the magnificent Wat Samphran Temple in Thailand unveils a breathtaking secret that has remained largely unknown to the outside world. Dominating the...
The Colossal Statue of Avukana Buddha in Kekirawa, Sri Lanka. Source: homocosmicos/Adobe Stock

Avukana Buddha - Sri Lanka’s Most Important Buddhist Pilgrimage Site

Relics of Buddhism are always magnificent to behold. They dot the East Asian world, and are the testament to the devotion and ancient history of its peoples. One such relic is the magnificent statue...
Mesopotamian / Iraqi Marshes with the so called Marsh Arabs. Source: Felix Friebe / Adobe Stock.

Iraq's Marshes Are Dying, and A Civilization With Them (Video)

The Mesopotamian marshes in Iraq, once a thriving ecosystem and the heart of an ancient Marsh Arab civilization, are facing a dire threat as they wither away. Parched by a prolonged drought, the...
Mada'in Saleh (Al-Ḥijr & Hegra) archaeological site near Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. Source: hyserb/Adobe Stock

The Marvel of Mada’in Saleh and the Enigmatic Nabataean People

The archaeological site of Mada’in Saleh, previously known as Hegra, is the most famous ancient site in Saudi Arabia. It is also the first archaeological site of Saudi Arabia to be included in the...
Traditional Lenj boat building on Qeshm Island, Iran. Source: Gone For A Drive. / Adobe Stock.

The Dying Craft of Traditional Boat-Building in Iran (Video)

For nearly 400 years, the Guranian people of Iran's Qeshm Island have upheld the extraordinary art of crafting Lenj boats - large, handmade wooden vessels used for transporting passengers and cargo...
Aerial photograph depicting the city wall casements of Khirbet Qeiyafa. Source: Yosef Garfinkel

Five Fortified Ancient Cities May Be Part of King David's Lost Kingdom

The ruins of five fortified cities outside of Jerusalem were allegedly part of the empire of King David, is the controversial claim of an Israeli archaeologist. In a new story, the archaeologist...
Image of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, representation of how it would have appeared. Source: Civilization. Wiki /CC BY-SA )

The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: What Made the First Mausoleum a Wonder?

The word mausoleum is nowadays defined as “a special building made to hold the dead body of an important person or the deceased bodies of a family”. This word is derived from the name Mausolus, for...
Cave Temple of Dambulla, UNESCO. Source: JoseMaria/Adobe Stock

From a King’s Refuge to Buddhist Grandeur: Dambulla Cave Temple

One of Sri Lanka’s most well-preserved gems is the Dambulla Cave Temple, a renowned Buddhist temple complex from the 1st century BC. Sometimes referred to as the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the...
Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan hotel. Source: 金田 哲郎 / Adobe Stock.

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan: The World’s Oldest Hotel (Video)

At the world's oldest hotel, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan , tradition and modernity intertwine to create a unique experience. For over 1300 years , guests have been drawn to its crystal-clear hot water...
Assyrian king. Source: dani3315 / Adobe Stock.

Ashurbanipal: The Most Powerful Man on Earth (Video)

Ashurbanipal, the last formidable king of Assyria , stood as the epitome of power and dominance in the ancient world. With his empire extending from Egypt to Persia, he reigned as the most powerful...
Ta Prohm. Source:  jon_chica / Adobe Stock.

Ta Prohm’s Ruins are a 1,000-Year-Old Climate Change Warning (Video)

Ta Prohm , an ancient temple in Cambodia, serves as a haunting testament to the impact of climate change. Built during the height of the Khmer empire around 1,000 years ago, this once majestic...
Holy couple. Source: Paolo Gallo / Adobe Stock.

The Kama Sutra: It’s Not Just About Sex (Video)

The Kama Sutra , known for its acrobatic sex positions, is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, it lacks explicit pictures and covers more than just sex . Translated from Sanskrit , it...
Knights Templar. Source: Deivison / Adobe Stock.

In the Shadows of History: Uncovering the Knights Templar (Video)

Deep within the annals of history lies the enigmatic group known as the Knights Templar . Originating in 1119, their primary objective was to protect Christian pilgrims embarking on perilous journeys...
The Tower of Babel. Source: FrankBoston / Adobe Stock.

Unraveling the Tower of Babel: Myth or Reality? (Video)

The ancient ruins of Babylon , located in central Iraq, have long captivated historians and archeologists alike. Among its remnants lies a structure that has stirred intrigue and speculation—the...
The archaeological site of Tall el-Hammam, Jordan that overlooks the Jordan Valley (Deg777 / CC by SA 4.0)

Tall el-Hammam: Is This Ancient City the Real Sodom? (Video)

In the lower Jordan River Valley, buried beneath layers of dirt and rock, lies the remains of an ancient city that dates back almost 4,000 years. Known as Tall el-Hammam , this intriguing site...

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