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.

Tin embroidery in Guizhou Province, China. Source: YouTube Screenshot / Great Big Story.

9 August, 2023 - 20:52 Robbie Mitchell

The Remarkable Ancient Craft of Miao Tin Embroidery (Video)

Nestled within the tranquil landscapes of Guizhou Province , China, a remote village becomes the sentinel of an ancient and vanishing artistry – tin embroidery . For more than 500 years, skilled...

Wuling Mountain Temples. Source: Weiming / Adobe Stock.

8 August, 2023 - 01:55 Joanna Gillan

China’s Extraordinary Wuling Mountain Temples (Video)

Nestled in China's biodiverse Wuling mountain range is the majestic Fenjingshan, the highest peak in Guizhou province , towering about 8,000 feet above sea level. Believed to have formed between 2...

Traditional fabric printing in India. Source: kalcutta / Adobe Stock.

4 August, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

French-Indian Textile Designer Recreates Ancient Mughal Designs (Video)

Renowned French-Indian textile designer, Brigitte Singh, has masterfully revived ancient Mughal designs on fabric, igniting a renaissance of timeless beauty. With meticulous attention, she unfurls a...

Representational image of the Gutian Invasion of the Akkadian Empire. Source: Francis Valadj / Adobe Stock

3 August, 2023 - 22:55 Robbie Mitchell

The Gutian Invasion: What Really Caused the Fall of the Akkadian Empire?

The Akkadian Empire, one of the first great empires in human history, thrived in ancient Mesopotamia under the rule of Sargon of Akkad. However, its reign eventually came to an end. For decades,...

traditional medicine, Cambodia, healers, ingredients, healthcare

3 August, 2023 - 16:54 Joanna Gillan

Reviving Ancient Healing Arts: Cambodia's Groundbreaking Approach to Healthcare (Video)

Traditional healers, with their deep knowledge of nature's bounty, have long played a pivotal role in providing healthcare in Cambodia . They use an array of natural ingredients, including dried...

The cow’s head on the Silver Lyre. Source: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin / CC BY-SA 4.0)

3 August, 2023 - 14:55 Natalia Klimczak

Bask in the Beauty and Melody of the Ancient Mesopotamian Lyres of Ur

It is unknown which culture was the first to create music, but a set of beautiful Sumerian instruments from the city of Ur provide us with some insight into the world of ancient music. Over 4,000...

Haji piyada nine domes mosque, Afghanistan. (Masoud Akbari / CC by SA 3.0)

2 August, 2023 - 20:53 Robbie Mitchell

The Mysterious, Ancient Nine Domes Mosque of Afghanistan (Video)

The ancient Nine Domes Mosque in Afghanistan in Balkh, Afghanistan is a fascinating enigma that has intrigued archaeologists for centuries. Built in the 8th century, it stands as one of the oldest...

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

2 August, 2023 - 01:52 Robbie Mitchell

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.

1 August, 2023 - 20:55 Robbie Mitchell

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.

1 August, 2023 - 01:53 Robbie Mitchell

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.

31 July, 2023 - 20:51 Robbie Mitchell

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.

31 July, 2023 - 17:00 Robbie Mitchell

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.

29 July, 2023 - 01:55 Robbie Mitchell

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.

28 July, 2023 - 01:58 Robbie Mitchell

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.

27 July, 2023 - 16:54 Robbie Mitchell

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.

27 July, 2023 - 01:56 Robbie Mitchell

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.

24 July, 2023 - 20:57 Robbie Mitchell

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

24 July, 2023 - 18:56 Aleksa Vučković

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.

24 July, 2023 - 16:58 Robbie Mitchell

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

23 July, 2023 - 22:55 johnblack

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.

22 July, 2023 - 01:59 Robbie Mitchell

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

14 July, 2023 - 18:57 Sahir

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 )

10 July, 2023 - 14:55 dhwty

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

6 July, 2023 - 18:51 Lex Leigh

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...

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