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Bara Imanbara in Lucknow in northern India. Source: Memories Over Mocha / Adobe Stock

The Gravity-Defying Bara Imambara was Built to Create Jobs During a Famine

The Bara Imambara, or “Great” Imambara of Lucknow in northern India, stands a testament to human ingenuity and compassion. Built during a devastating famine in the 18th century, this architectural...
Loarre Castle. Source: FJ / Adobe Stock

The Formidable Castle of Loarre, Jewel of Aragon

Spain has a strong medieval heritage. Specifically, its northern region of Aragon is strongly rooted in the early origins of a modern and unified Spanish nation. As a vestige of that glorious...
A banquet in Nero’s palace, by Ulpiano Checa y Sanz. Source: Public domain

Emperor Nero’s Legendary Revolving Dining Room Really Existed

While the extravagant palace of Emperor Nero , the Domus Aurea—which boasted some 300 rooms covered in dazzling polished white marble—was first rediscovered during the Renaissance, in 2009 a team of...
Modern-day view of Kallanai dam in India. Source: Elamaran Elaaa / Adobe Stock

2,000-year-old Kallanai Dam: Timeless Engineering Marvel of the Chola Dynasty

Sometimes, ancient marvels of architecture simply defy all forms of logic. And even after many centuries pass, and the world enters the modern age, we are amazed to see these ancient jewels still...
Brihadeeswarar Temple. Source: krishna / Adobe Stock.

India’s Mysterious Brihadeeswarar Temple Doesn’t Cast a Shadow

India's history boasts numerous architectural masterpieces. Among them is the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu, known for a very unique feature : its shadow seems to completely vanish at noon! An...
China’s forbidden city. Source: wusuowei / Adobe Stock.

A Remarkable Tour Inside China's Forbidden City (Video)

The Forbidden City's architecture is a masterpiece, with its historical and cultural significance deeply rooted in its design. The number 9 holds great importance in Chinese culture , and this is...
Amiens cathedral. Source:  Takashi Images / Adobe Stock.

Amiens Cathedral: Gothic Architecture in all its Glory (Video)

Join a visual tour of Amiens Cathedral , a 13th-century Gothic masterpiece. The facade, intricate like delicate lace, boasts three grand doorways adorned with numerous figures. The left portal...
Senior Researcher at the National Museum of Denmark Mads Dengso Jessen holds a Viking Age window glass fragment. Source: John Fhær Engedal Nissen / National Museum of Denmark

Study Finds Out Those Barbaric Vikings Had…Stained Glass Windows?!

It is no secret that the portrayal of Vikings in popular culture has done more than its fair share to distort our ideas of what and who the Vikings were. This distortion extends across various...
The Hanging Pillar of Lepakshi. Source: Bikashrd / CC by SA 4.0.

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...
Aerial view of the structure at Tel Shimron supporting the passageway to the corbelled vault. Credit: Eyecon.	Source: Eyecon

Israel's Tel Shimron Excavations Reveal Ancient Architectural Marvel Dating to 1,800 BC

Archaeologists participating in the ongoing Tel Shimron excavations in the Jezreel Valley of northern Israel recently unearthed the first section of an arched, vaulted passageway with steps that they...
Wooden churches on island Kizhi on lake Onega, Russia. Source: Mikhail Markovskiy / Adobe Stock.

The Incredible Russian Churches Built without Nails (Video)

Standing proudly on a small Russian island is are two remarkable churches that defy conventional construction techniques. This centuries-old architectural marvel , nestled on Kizhi Island, boasts two...
Dar al Hajar rock palace, Yemen. Source: fotoember / Adobe Stock.

Inside Yemen's Hand-Carved Rock Palace (Video)

Nestled a mere ten miles from Yemen's capital, Dar al-Hajar, the Imam’s Rock Palace, stands as an exceptional achievement, carved into the very rock it rests upon. Crafted during the 1930s by Imam...
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of iron window bars at the recently unearthed Roman baths excavated in Mérida, Spain. Source: Consortium of the Monumental City of Mérida

Remarkable Iron Window Bars Found in Mérida Roman Baths

Having unearthed the ruins of a well-preserved public bath house in Mérida, Spain, in July 2023, archaeologists have come across another exciting find. The baths were discovered while excavating...
Archaeologists with 4,000-year-old pyramid remains in uncovered in Kazakhstan. Source: L. N. Gumilyov / Eurasian National University

4,000-Year-Old Bronze Age Pyramid Found in Kazakhstan Is First Ever on Asian Steppe!

A 4,000-year-old Bronze Age pyramidical structure with links to a horse cult has been uncovered in the ochre-tinted earthen steppes of Kazakhstan. The culmination of almost a decade of research and...
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...
The excavation site at Sem where the large Viking Longhouse has been detected. Source: Frank Rødberg / County Municipality

Remarkably Massive Viking Longhouse Discovered in Norway

While excavating near the ruins of a 17th century royal estate near the village of Sem in the Eiker district of southeastern Norway, archaeologists unearthed dozens of ancient postholes spread around...
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...
Bodiam Castle, England. Source: veneratio / Adobe Stock.

The Incredible Evolution Of The British Castle Explained (Video)

The evolution of the British castle is a fascinating tale. Castles were initially fortified places, serving as private residences for individuals rather than defenses for communities. Iron Age...
Acanthus leaves on Corinthian columns. Source: Aslan / Adobe Stock.

Acanthus: Why Old Buildings Use the Same Leaf Design (Video)

The leaf design found on old buildings, especially Corinthian columns , holds a fascinating secret. These leaves, known as acanthus leaves, are woven into the architecture, symbolizing the endurance...
Left to Right: Photograph of the engraved stone at the time of discovery at the Jibal al-Khashabiyeh, Jordan location. Sketch of position of plans on the engraved monolith from Jibal al-Khashabiyeh. Location of the engraved rock in Wadi az-Zilliyat, Saudi Arabia. Source: SEBAP & Crassard et al. 2023 PLOS One

8,000-Year-Old Rock Carvings Are Earliest Scale Diagrams By Prehistoric Architects

While exploring two remote sites on the Arabian Peninsula, an international team of archaeologists found a pair of rocks that each featured a most unique set of engravings. It seems that the stars...
Section of the impressive walls of Dubrovnik. Source: Siegfried Schnepf / Adobe Stock

The Unbreakable Barrier: Dubrovnik's Walls Through the Ages

Nestled along the rugged Adriatic coast, the walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia has long been a cultural and economic hub in the region. However, this picturesque city has also seen its fair share...
Ancient Greek civilization. Source: Kristian / Adobe Stock.

What Did Ancient Greece Really Look Like? A Visual Tour (Video)

The ancient civilization of Greece is a historical period that has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. Known for its legendary gods and heroes, impressive feats of architecture , and...
The Maya ruins at Copan in Honduras have stood the test of time. (bennytrapp / Adobe Stock)

Ancient Formula for Super-Durable Maya Plaster Finally Revealed

A team of scientists in Spain appear to have discovered the elusive formula for lime plaster and mortar used by the ancient Maya of Mexico and Central America. It seems that the incredibly durable...
Inca stone wall. Source: mikevanschoonderwalt / Adobe Stock.

The Ingenious Methods behind the Inca’s Intricate Stone Walls (Video)

Peru's Inca stone walls have long fascinated archaeologists and visitors alike. Made of irregularly shaped stones that interlock so seamlessly that even a razor blade can't be inserted between them,...

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