Europe

Ancient places can be found all over Europe. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on European history. Visiting such ancient places in Europe 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 Europe, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

Beeston Castle entrance Source: Dunja / Adobe Stock

28 June, 2020 - 22:20 Michelle Freson

Could the King Richard II’s Gold Still Be Hidden at Beeston Castle?

Perched on a large crag, Beeston Castle is one of the most dramatically situated medieval castles in England. Although what remains today represents the feats of medieval builders, much of what is...

One of the mounted skulls found in Motala, Sweden. Credit: Anna Arnberg.

26 June, 2020 - 18:50 dhwty

This is What a Man from the Tomb of Sunken Skulls Looked Like

When archaeologists were excavating a dry prehistoric lake bed in Motala, Sweden in 2009, they stumbled upon one of the most peculiar archaeological discoveries the nation had seen – the so-called ‘...

Little is known about the Neolithic Age Battle Axe culture, but archaeologists and scholars continue to apply new technologies to piece together a more complete picture. (Image, Stone Axes in Turov Local History Museum). Source: Grigory Bruev

24 June, 2020 - 14:01 Aleksa Vučković

The Battle Axe Culture: Piecing Together the Age of Crushed Skulls

Peering into the development stages of the Neolithic cultures of Old Europe has always been a challenging task for archaeologists and scholars. Reaching so far back into time in the hope of piecing...

One of the living statues at the Lost Gardens of Heligan.

23 June, 2020 - 20:15 dhwty

The Lost Gardens of Heligan: Rediscovering a Centuries-Old Paradise

The Lost Gardens of Heligan is one of the most popular botanical gardens in the United Kingdom, yet for decades it was abandoned and forgotten. Today, many people go to the Lost Gardens of Heligan to...

The Nasrid Dynasty Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain. Source: Jebulon / CC0.

23 June, 2020 - 01:59 dhwty

The Nasrid Dynasty and the Birth of the Alhambra Palace

The Nasrid Dynasty was the last Muslim dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula . The Nasrids ruled over the Emirate of Granada , which was founded during the 13 th century. The Emirate was the last Muslim...

Medieval maritime trade. Credit: Yury Kisialiou / Adobe Stock

22 June, 2020 - 14:05 Aleksa Vučković

The Hanseatic League: Dominating the Baltic Maritime Trade

The Baltic Sea has historically been an important region for maritime trade. Its favorable location, which acts as a connection between major nations and trading hubs, always made it a focal point...

Donnington Castle near Newbury in West Berkshire Source: Piotr / Adobe Stock

20 June, 2020 - 23:02 Ed Whelan

Donnington Castle, Proud Survivor of Parliamentary Guns

There are various types of castles in Britain built by conquerors, rightful kings and wealthy supporters of the monarchs. One of the most distinctive is that of Donnington Castle (not to be confused...

Representation of a Valkyrie

17 June, 2020 - 22:49 Veronica Parkes

The Bold and Beautiful Valkyries and Their Mortal Lovers

In Norse mythology, Valkyries were originally sinister spirits that would fly above the battlefield in search of the dead, deciding the fate of the fallen for Odin . The word “Valkyrie” means “...

Roman legionary Source: serpeblu / Adobe Stock

14 June, 2020 - 22:58 Ed Whelan

Kings Weston Roman Villa, Where a Murder Lay Hidden for 1500 Years

Britain was part of the Roman Empire from the 1 st century AD to the start of the 5 th century AD when the emperor withdrew the legions from the islands and left the inhabitants to govern and fend...

The Fall of Babylon

12 June, 2020 - 22:15 dhwty

The Monumental Fall of Babylon: What Really Shattered the Empire?

The fall of Babylon is a historical event that occurred in 539 BC. This event saw the conquest of Babylon by the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great and marked the end of the Neo-Babylonian...

The Bridestones, several large stones Source: Peel, M / CC BY-SA 4.0

12 June, 2020 - 01:32 Ed Whelan

Unveiling the Bridestones Cairn of Cheshire

The British landscape is dotted with the remains of its Stone Age past. We are all familiar with Stonehenge , one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world, but few people are familiar...

Aerial view of Frankenstein Castle in southern Hesse, Germany Source: Iurii / Adobe Stock

10 June, 2020 - 01:33 Ed Whelan

Witches, Monsters and Dragons, All at Frankenstein Castle

Castles are often associated with the supernatural and gruesome events and none more so than one of the most famous castles in all of Germany, Frankenstein Castle. This ruined fortress is synonymous...

European standing stones: Rudston Monolith (CC0), Maen Llia (Tony Martin Long /Adobe Stock), Maen Madoc (Alan Bowring/CC BY SA 2.0), Kerloas Menhir (mariof /Adobe Stock), Riesenstein (Tecty/CC BY SA 4.0), Menir da Meada. (StockPhotosArt /Adobe Stock)

7 June, 2020 - 13:51 Aleksa Vučković

European Standing Stones: The Mute Witnesses of Forgotten Times

If we reach far back into the distant past of our ancestors, as far back as the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, we can get a critical glimpse into the lives and traditions of Europe’s ancient...

Cordoba, Spain Skyline Source: SeanPavonePhoto/ Adobe Stock

6 June, 2020 - 13:51 Ed Whelan

The Roman Bridge of Cordoba that Transported Armies, and Spans Time

Ancient structures often tell us a great deal about the history of a region or country. They reveal what materials were available, the culture and beliefs of the people, and which nations, if any,...

The Arch and Rotunda, Remains of a Vast Palace Complex Built by Galerius

3 June, 2020 - 02:02 Ed Whelan

The Arch and Rotunda, Remains of a Vast Palace Complex Built by Galerius

One thing gastronomists, sun worshipers and historians can agree on is that Greece has more than a little of something for everyone. Regarded as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western...

Trials of Germany’s Impregnable Königstein Fortress

2 June, 2020 - 01:33 Ed Whelan

Trials of Germany’s Impregnable Königstein Fortress

Due to its turbulent history, Germany has many impressive military fortresses. One of the best known and most spectacular is the Königstein Fortress, located in the free state of Saxony Switzerland...

5 Lone Standing Stones of Europe – Our Old Menhir Warriors

31 May, 2020 - 14:06 Aleksa Vučković

5 Lone Standing Stones of Europe – Our Old Menhir Warriors

When it comes to the ancient beliefs and rituals of our earliest ancestors, nothing can be more captivating than standing stones and similar megalithic structures. Dating far back in time to the...

The Bosnian Pyramids: One of the Greatest Finds Ever?

29 May, 2020 - 02:50 Richard Hoyle

The Bosnian Pyramids: One of the Greatest Finds Ever?

In 2020, as we begin a new decade, Dr Sam Osmanagich and The Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Foundation is celebrating its 15 th year since multidisciplinary investigations of the Bosnian Pyramids began...

Rendering of bison in Niaux Cave Source: Valette, C / CC BY ND 2.0

28 May, 2020 - 01:46 Ed Whelan

Follow Ancient Footsteps to the Famous Rock Art of Niaux Cave

France is famous for its beautiful scenery, historic cities, and of course, wine. The country also has many spectacular cave systems such as the Bournillon Cave which has the highest cave opening in...

Sweetheart Abbey, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland Source: Heartland Arts / Adobe Stock

27 May, 2020 - 01:47 Ed Whelan

Sweetheart Abbey, a Shrine to a Beautiful Scottish Love Story

Scotland is a picturesque and historic land and the country has a long history with many celebrated landmarks. Sweetheart Abbey, a monastery built in Middle Ages is now in ruins but still remarkable...

Stone formation Ales Stenar in southern Sweden on the Baltic Sea coast. Source: Fabian/ Adobe Stock

19 May, 2020 - 01:42 Ed Whelan

Ales Stenar, Sweden’s Stone Circle May Have More Secrets

Sweden is famous for the Northern lights, IKEA and their Vikings, known as Varangians. The country has a rich history and many heritage sites, one of which is the enigmatic Ales Stenar, (or Ale’s...

The Roman amphitheater of Cagliari Source: murasal / Adobe Stock

16 May, 2020 - 01:50 Ed Whelan

When in Sardinia, Do as the Romans Do: The Cagliari Amphitheater

Sardinia is a beautiful Italian island renowned for its stunning views. It is also a historic island with over 7000 prehistoric archaeological sites that date from before 1000 BC and many amazing...

Ancient gladiator and image representative of the Flavian amphitheater Source: Luis Louro/ Adobe Stock

14 May, 2020 - 01:50 Ed Whelan

The Flavian Amphitheater that Bought Emperor Vespasian’s Popularity

Amphitheaters were a large part of the Roman culture and they were built in many of their cities across their empire, such as El Jem in Tunisia, Nimes Arena in France, and Leptis Magnus in Libya...

The moon among the columns of the Doric Temple at Segesta, Sicily. Source: ildiora / Adobe Stock

13 May, 2020 - 01:59 Ed Whelan

A Classical Doric Temple in Sicily Built by a Mysterious Population

Thanks to its unique position in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily has a rich and complex history. There are many fine examples of Classical Greek architecture on the island and one of the...

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