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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.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey. Source: yusuftatliturk / Adobe Stock
16 February, 2023 - 22:00 Joanna Gillan

The Majesty of Mosques: 12 Captivating Photos That Showcase Islamic Architecture

Mosques are known for their stunning architecture and intricate craftsmanship. From the grandeur of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, to the delicate beauty of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul,...
A traditional burial site in Tana Toraja, whose culture is known for elaborate funeral rituals. Source: fabio lamanna / Adobe Stock
16 February, 2023 - 01:02 Joanna Gillan

Elaborate Funeral Rituals and Exhumation of the Dead in Toraja Culture

The unforgettable Tana Toraja is a regency located in the picturesque mountains of South Sulawesi in Indonesia. This region is home to the indigenous Torajan people, whose way of life is deeply...
Amber Fort seen from the bank of Maotha Lake, Jaigarh Fort on the hills in the background, and a tunnel runs between the two. Source: Jakub Hałun/CC BY-SA 4.0
14 February, 2023 - 13:58 Lex Leigh

Warrior Caste to Tourist Attraction: The Controversy of Rajasthan's Underground Tunnels

There are a surprising number of underground tunnels in the world, but one of the most mysterious examples is the underground tunnels of Rajasthan, India. According to historians, these tunnels are a...
The Buland Darwaza, or High Gate, was built in 1602 as the main entrance to the Jama Masjid mosque at Fatehpur Sikri in India. Source: Shuklaankit90 / CC BY-SA 4.0
11 February, 2023 - 13:51 Sahir

The Majestic Legacy of Fatehpur Sikri: A Masterful Mughal City

Fatehpur Sikri is a hidden gem just 37 km (23 mi) southwest of the bustling city of Agra. This majestic town has a rich and intriguing history with roots tracing back to the Sikarwar Rajputs, a...
Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Empire before its collapse. Source: Suat/Adobe Stock
9 February, 2023 - 17:58 Sahir

The Role of Severe Drought in the Collapse of the Hittite Empire

A study of juniper tree-ring samples from central Turkey, along with other dating methods, shows that a climate crisis in the form of a severe drought in 1198–1196 BC, played a major role in the...
Buddhist Sohei warrior monks played a critical role in Japanese politics for centuries. Source: Brunogm / Adobe Stock
8 February, 2023 - 17:50 Aleksa Vučković

Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan

When we think of Buddhism today, we think of pacifism, being at one with the world, love for one’s neighbor and nature, and other aspects of peaceful living. Modern Buddhist monks are devoted to...
The recently destroyed walls of Gaziantep Castle. Source: DHA/ Daily Sabah
6 February, 2023 - 18:00 Gary Manners

Historic Monuments Including Gaziantep Castle Destroyed in Earthquake

The catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 7.8 that hit Turkey and Syria on Feb. 6, 2023 has caused horrific loss of life and injuries in 10 cities in the affected region. It has also destroyed a...
The Reed Flute Cave in southern China is a beautiful geological marvel. Source: Dennis Jarvis / CC BY SA 2.0
5 February, 2023 - 13:52 Lex Leigh

China’s Reed Flute Cave: A Natural Masterpiece with a Rich History

There are a lot of fascinating natural wonders in the world, but one of the most interesting is the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, in southern China. The Reed Flute Cave is a limestone cave known for its...
The abandoned and earthquake-damaged ruins of Kayakoy have become a tourist attraction. Source: Nullplus / Adobe Stock
3 February, 2023 - 17:57 Lex Leigh

Kayakoy: An Abandoned Ghost Town Opens For Tourismi

Since the beginning of time, cities have been built and abandoned for countless reasons. War, famine, drought, and more have led communities to flee and relocate to regions that better suit their...
The mythical city of Shambhala, as generated by AI technology. Source: EwaStudio / Adobe Stock
31 January, 2023 - 00:59 Joanna Gillan

What is Shambhala? Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala

Shambhala, which is a Sanskrit word meaning “place of peace” or “place of silence,” is a mythical paradise spoken of in ancient texts, including the Kalachakra Tantra and the ancient scriptures of...
These abandoned cities from across the globe are the remnants of a different era. Pictured: Aerial view of Craco, Basilicata region of Italy. Source: Pavlo Glazkov / Adobe Stock
27 January, 2023 - 13:59 Robbie Mitchell

Six Abandoned Cities and Their Haunting Histories

Time is a cruel mistress, and nothing lasts forever. Eventually, even the greatest of empires and cities are doomed to crumble. Over the centuries, many once-prosperous towns have been abandoned and...
21 ancient Han tombs have been discovered, including a rare 2,000-year-old double-layer burial tomb. Source: Xinhua
15 January, 2023 - 21:55 ashley cowie

Archaeological Treasure Trove! 21 Royal Han Tombs Unearthed in China

Archeologists exploring a mountainside in China have discovered 21 tombs dating back 2,000 years. The presence of luxury artifacts and a rare “couple’s grave” suggests this was an ancient royal...
Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India. Source: Dmitry Rukhlenko / Adobe Stock.
14 January, 2023 - 13:58 Joanna Gillan

16 Spectacular Photos of India’s Once-Powerful Hilltop Forts

India’s many remarkable forts and citadels stand as a testament to its rich and turbulent history. These towering monuments, the majority of which are castles, fortified palaces , or fortresses,...
Winter Solstice at Mnajdra Temple in Malta. Source: Declan Hillman / Adobe Stock
5 January, 2023 - 13:54 Robbie Mitchell

Eight of the Oldest Temples in the Ancient World

Since the earliest days of human civilization, humans have worshipped gods and built temples in their honor. Today, many of these impressive structures are still standing, a testament to the...
A CGI representation of the Pool of Siloam as it once would have been. Source: Israel Antiquities Authority Screenshot
3 January, 2023 - 21:54 Nathan Falde

Pool of Siloam Where Jesus Healed a Blind Man To Be Fully Excavated

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has announced that the 2,700-year-old Pool of Siloam, which is believed to have been used as a ritual bath by the ancient residents of Jerusalem, will be fully...
Scenes of the evacuation and flood of Petra historic site. Source: Twitter Screenshot
28 December, 2022 - 17:57 Sahir

Petra Historic World Heritage Site Blasted By Flash Floods

In another case of nature’s wrath rearing its head, flash floods have struck the iconic world heritage site at Petra, Jordan, forcing the evacuation of 1,700 tourists . A whopping 66 millimeters of...
Aerial view of Uşaklı Höyük excavations. At the bottom center, the circular structure, a further clue as to whether this is the holy city of Zippalanda, found during the 2022 excavation campaign is visible. Source: Emanuele Taccola/University of Pisa
28 December, 2022 - 13:59 ashley cowie

Closer Still To Identifying The Lost City Of Zippalanda

4,000-year-old Hittite texts speak of the lost cultic centre of Zippalanda, somewhere in modern Turkey. Now, new discoveries at the Uşaklı Höyüy site further suggest this was the ancient holy city...
Interior of the tomb purported to be that of Holly Salome in Israel. Source: Israeli Antiquities Authority
22 December, 2022 - 17:54 ashley cowie

Is This Really the Lost Cave Tomb of Holy Salome?

In the days leading up to the biggest Holy Day (holiday) of the Christian year, celebrating the birth of Christ, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have announced “the cave of Holy Salome,' the...
Visiting mythical places, like the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland pictured, helps us connect with our past, as well as nature. Source: drimafilm / Adobe Stock
29 November, 2022 - 00:52 Robbie Mitchell

Live the Legend: 8 Mythical Places That Actually Exist

When it comes to ancient mythology it can sometimes be difficult to separate fact from fiction. While most myths are obviously fictional, they often contain at least a grain of truth. The ancients...
The wako pirates are typically portrayed as Japanese pirates, but the reality was more complex. Depiction of a pirate ship sailing on the ocean against a golden sky. Source: Gasi / Adobe Stock
13 November, 2022 - 13:57 Molly Dowdeswell

The Notorious Wako Pirates of Japan

The wako (also called wokou or waegu) were a group of marauders that dominated the seas of East Asia for centuries. They have been seen by Western historians and culture as a kind of Japanese pirate...
A drone shot of the monastery, including a single-aisle church, refectory, cistern, storeroom and kitchen. The nearby courtyard building, lower right, may be an abbot’s house or ‘bishop’s palace.’ Siniyah Island in Umm al-Quwain, United Arab Emirates. Source: Nasser Muhsen Bin Tooq / Department of Archaeology and Tourism of Umm Al-Quwain via AP
6 November, 2022 - 17:50 Nathan Falde

Pre-Islamic Ruins Found in UAE Belong to Rare 6th Century Christian Monastery

The ruins of a Christian monastery dating back to the sixth or seventh century have been discovered on sandy Siniyah Island (Al Sinniyah Island), which is located in the southern Persian Gulf just...
These ancient Iraq carvings dating to the Assyrian Empire were unearthed near the Mashki Gate in Mosul, escaping destruction by IS in 2016. Source: Iraqi Ministry of Culture
22 October, 2022 - 02:00 ashley cowie

Ancient Assyrian Carvings Found Near Mashki Gate Destroyed by ISIS

Eight stunningly detailed carved stone panels have been discovered near the Mosul, Iraq. They were unearthed near Mashki Gate, a site that was bulldozed by Islamic State (IS) terrorists in 2016. The...
The entrance to the Ganesha Gumpha section of the Udayagiri cave complex. Source: Paramanu Sarkar / CC BY SA 4.0
18 October, 2022 - 02:00 Mark Brophy

Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves: Intricate Jain Monuments to Faith

There is an incredible archaeological site just outside the city of Bhubaneswar in Odisha, India that attracts thousands of tourists each year. The Udayagiri caves are part natural, part man-made...
Remote sensing and drone footage of the Lagash / Tell al-Hiba site was deployed to conclude that the ancient Mesopotamian city was made up of four marsh islands. Source: Lagash Archaeological Project
15 October, 2022 - 14:53 Sahir

Drone Footage Reveals Lost Mesopotamian City Built on Marsh Islands

Using remote sensing data technologies at the site of one of the oldest urban centers in world history, scientists have identified a vast Mesopotamian settlement called Lagash. Once upon a time,...

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