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.

The new study reveals that there are thousands of previously unknown earthworks in the Amazon hidden under the forest canopy. Source: © Mauricio de Paiva/ Max Planck Institute

10 October, 2023 - 22:57 Nathan Falde

Over 10,000 Earthworks in the Amazon Revealed By LiDAR

An international team of researchers has completed an extraordinary study that reveals the presence of thousands of undetected earthworks hidden beneath the dense cover of the Amazon rainforest in...

Imagine the excitement of coming up close and personal with the beasts of Jurassic Park. Source: Garrett / Adobe Stock

9 October, 2023 - 14:50 Avi Kumar

5 Places That Will Remind You of Jurassic Park

Stepping into a natural history museum and coming face-to-face with the real-life fossilized remains of dinosaurs, or even animatronic models, can be an adventure. But there’s only so far that one’s...

Birr Castle. Source: William Alexander.

7 October, 2023 - 18:45 Aleksa Vučković

Birr Castle, the Historic Jewel of Ireland’s County Offaly

Ireland is a nation with a rich and far-reaching heritage. From the Iron Age and into the Middle Ages, the country was shaped by numerous historic episodes. With a strong medieval heritage, Ireland...

A woman in the Renaissance getting dressed. Source: YouTube Screenshot / CrowsEye Productions.

6 October, 2023 - 20:50 Robbie Mitchell

The Elaborate Process of Getting Dressed as a Renaissance Woman (Video)

In Renaissance Florence , Italy, fashion was a tapestry of elegance and refinement . The clothing of this era showcased intricate details and subtle displays of wealth. Women of the time donned silk...

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...

Archaeologists use drones to map Peru’s ancient sites. Source: YouTube Screenshot / The New York Times.

6 October, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

Recording Thousands of Peru’s Temples Using Drones (Video)

In a race against time, archaeologists armed with a fleet of drones have been tirelessly working to map the legal boundaries of Peru's ancient ruins for the last few years. These unregistered...

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,...

Teotihuacan, Mexico. Source: fergregory / Adobe Stock.

3 October, 2023 - 20:57 Robbie Mitchell

Bribes, Zoning, and Ancient Pyramids: Walmart's Corporate Greed at Teotihuacan (Video)

In 2012, The New York Times uncovered an elaborate tale of bribery involving one of the world's largest corporations. Walmart, a global powerhouse, faced scrutiny when The Times exposed a cover-up of...

El Mirador, Guatemala. Source: US Embassy Guatemala / Flickr.

3 October, 2023 - 01:52 Robbie Mitchell

Mayan Jungle Ruins in Guatemala Could Become Major Tourist Attraction (Video)

Deep within the lush, tropical Guatemalan forest lies the ancient Mayan city of El Mirador , a site over 2,000 years old. However, it's not just an archaeological treasure; it's at the center of a...

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...

Aerial image of Bonamargy Friary in Northern Ireland. Source: peter / Adobe Stock

30 September, 2023 - 19:00 Aleksa Vučković

The Haunted History and Resting Heroes of Bonamargy Friary

Old ruins and abandoned places have always tickled the imagination. They’ve also been a primary source for local legends across the centuries. Ireland, thanks to its long and rich history, is full of...

The Sycamore Gap tree near Hadrian’s Wall was cut down by vandals. Screenshot from BBC news release. Source: BBC News/Youtube Screenshot

28 September, 2023 - 22:55 Nathan Falde

England’s Iconic Sycamore Gap Tree Destroyed by Act of Vandalism

In a thoughtless and ugly act of desecration, a person or persons cut down one of England’s most celebrated and historically significant trees. Known as Robin Hood’s Tree, a label it picked up after...

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...

View of the Sahure pyramid from the outside at Abusir, Egypt. Right; Dr. Mohamed Khaled, project leader, during the excavations in the Sahure pyramid. Source: Mohamed Khaled / Uni Würzburg, Sailingstone Travel/Adobe Stock

28 September, 2023 - 18:57 Sahir

Eight New Chambers Revealed at the Sahure Pyramid

Described as a ‘very significant’ find, eight rooms, that probably accommodated royal grave goods, have been uncovered in the Pyramid of Sahure in Abusir, Giza. These chambers, obscured from the...

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...

Viano Castle opening, viewed at night. Source: Marcello Assandri

27 September, 2023 - 18:52 Gary Manners

Vejano Castle Opened Up For the First Time in 414 Years

Today, after 414 years, the castle of Vejano (once Viano), Italy opened its heavy doors to experts coming from seven countries. Prince Landolfo di Napoli Rampolli, whose family has owned the castle...

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...

A view of the The Dahshur necropolis in Egypt, from the Saqqara necropolis. Source: Blumesser/Adobe Stock

26 September, 2023 - 15:02 Khadija Tauseef

Exposing Egypt's Military Zone Protected Dahshur Necropolis

The cult of death played a crucial role in the history of ancient Egypt - they believed that their souls would continue to exist in the afterlife after they died. The concept of the afterlife was...

Fleas on rats spread the plague. Source: kichigin19 / Adobe Stock.

25 September, 2023 - 20:54 Robbie Mitchell

What Hygiene Was Like During the Black Plague? (Video)

In the 14th century , European hygiene during the Black Plague was far from ideal. Bathing was infrequent, and people resorted to remedies like vinegar and even urine to combat the disease due to a...

All video courtesy of Marcello Assandri.

25 September, 2023 - 18:56 Gary Manners

Huge Lost Medieval and Renaissance Castle Complex Discovered in Italy

A large medieval or Renaissance castle has been discovered amongst the foliage of a hill in Lazio, Italy. The discovery was made after investigations based on satellite imaging, which clearly...

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...

Left; Vejano Castle, Vejano, Italy, street view of tower and entry bridge. Right, the triangular Vejano castle from above. Source: Left; Croberto68/ CC BY-SA 3.0, Right; Google Earth

23 September, 2023 - 18:57 Marcello Assandri

Unearthing Italy's Hidden Castles 3: Rites and Recreation in the Renaissance

How did people unwind in the Renaissance? Well, spa baths were still popular since the days of the Roman Republic, but also competitions, and of course, who doesn’t love a good feast? All of these...

Pages